Rochdale Town 1-3 Widnes

Widnes FC continued their great end of season form as Steve Hill’s side ran out 3-1 winners at Rochdale Town on Saturday afternoon in a fiery encounter that saw both sides reduced to 10-men.

Luke Edwards opened the scoring for Widnes on the 15-minute mark from the penalty spot after Tunde Owolabi was fouled in the area by Rochdale keeper Mike Smith who was promptly sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Jamil Campbell-Joseph was sent off on the hour-mark, levelling up both sides at 10 players apiece before Carl Fitton equalised 12 minutes from time, as Rochdale converted a penalty of their own. They were only level for a matter of seconds however, as Edwards netted his second in a sensational style, lobbing stand-in Town keeper Jason Hill from 40 yards in a late goal of the season contender.

Widnes then secured all three points three minutes later, as James Ryan netted the winner as the visitors picked up their third consecutive victory.

The game started slowly as the bobbly playing surface acted as a leveller as the pitch made it difficult to pass the ball. A good move down the right from the hosts created the game’s first shot on goal, which Martin Payne looped over the crossbar.

Widnes were awarded a penalty shortly thereafter. Tunde Owolabi got the better of Tim Astley with a direct and powerful run, advancing into the area before being fouled by the outstretched glove of Mike Smith as he attempted to round the Rochdale keeper. Smith was promptly shown a red card for the challenge, as he denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

There was a short delay prior to the spot-kick as Rochdale were furious that a foul by Owolabi on Astley wasn’t given by the referee or the linesman on the far side. Luke Edwards stepped up for Widnes, and hammered the penalty home past Town skipper Jason Hill, who replaced Smith in goal, to give Widnes the lead.

Despite the one-man advantage, Widnes failed to capitalise and gain full control of the game in the remaining minutes of the half. Rochdale were equal to the 11-men of the visitors but were erratic on the counter and never tested keeper Ben Morrow. Meanwhile, Widnes lacked creativity as they failed to test stand-in keeper Hill.

Halftime: Rochdale Town 0-1 Widnes

The first half was a quiet and drab contest for the spectator, with both sides creating little going forward and with both keepers not having an awful lot to do.

Mark Canning’s side started the second half the better of the two teams. Carl Fitton grazed the top of the bar with a free-kick for the hosts minutes into the second period before Fitton again missed the target 10 minutes later after a shot from Jonny Thompson was blocked.

The turning point of the game came on the hour-mark as Widnes were also reduced to 10-men. Jamil Campbell-Joseph had a coming together with Rochdale’s Payne which the referee waved away, which didn’t please the Widnes forward. Campbell-Joseph was then shown a straight red card for dissent, cancelling out the visitors’ one-man advantage.

Rochdale then had a bit of belief about themselves as they started to create more chances. Thompson forced a save out of Morrow before Fitton again threatened for the hosts, as he this time volleyed high and wide of the upright.

With 15 minutes to go, Rochdale were awarded a penalty of their own as Jonny Thompson got the better of the Widnes pair of Tom Mitchell and Paul Carney before being brought down by the latter, giving the referee not choice but to point to the spot. Carl Fitton converted the spot-kick, finally getting himself on the scoresheet after missing a catalogue of chances to give his side a lifeline.

However, the scoreline was level for less than 90 seconds as Widnes went back in front in spectacular fashion. Luke Edwards bagged his second of the game as he opportunistically lobbed stand-in keeper Hill from 40 yards, netting his 16th goal of the season with a sensational strike that was a treat for all in attendance.

Widnes wrapped up all three points three minutes later, as James Ryan pipped the defender to the ball on the halfway line before bursting forward, getting the better of Dibley and then the goalkeeper before slotting the ball home to ensure that Widnes equalled their best ever unbeaten streak in the North West Counties Football League as Steve Hill’s side picked up their third consecutive league victory.

Fulltime: Rochdale Town 1-3 Widnes

Widnes’ latest victory lifts them to 13th place in the North West Counties Football League First Division, moving one point ahead of Northwich Manchester Villa having played the same number of games.

The curtain comes down on Widnes’ 2015/16 campaign this coming Saturday as Eccleshall travel to the Select Security Stadium in the hosts’ season finale. That game kicks-off at 3pm.

Rochdale Town: Smith, Davies, Fitton, Payne, Bennion, Astley, Dibley, Hill (C), Thompson, Latham, Burgess.

Subs not used: McKinley, Rowbottom, Alfrey, Williams.

Widnes: Morrow, Davidson, Carney, McGrogan, Mitchell (C), Wright, Campbell-Joseph, Toner, Owolabi, Ryan, Edwards.

Subs not used: Murphy