Match Preview

Widnes FC will be looking to pick up their fourth consecutive league victory as their 2015-16 season draws to a close on Saturday with a home game against Eccleshall at the Select Security Stadium.

Widnes have beaten Atherton LR, Ashton Town and Rochdale Town to surge towards the end of the season with a welcomed upturn in form. Last Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Rochdale equalled the club’s best winning streak at three since lodging a successful application to join the North West Counties Football League in 2013.

A double from Luke Edwards and a late strike from James Ryan secured Steve Hill’s side the points last time out, despite Jamil Campbell-Joseph seeing red for dissent on the hour-mark.

Eccleshall have also experienced an upturn in form as the season draws to a close. Prior to Wednesday night’s 3-0 defeat at Chadderton, the Eagles were enjoying a 3-game unbeaten run having won three of their previous five. That run included some mightily impressive results such as the 5-0 thrashing of Litherland REMYCA, edging Stockport Town 4-3 and picking up a point at home to Barnton.

Widnes have never lost to Eccleshall in the previous and only five games between the two clubs. Widnes have won four of those meetings, including the double over the Eagles last season, winning 6-0 away and 5-0 at home.

In the last meeting between the two sides, a Ronnie McCarthy set Steve Hill’s on their way to victory as Widnes ran out 5-0 winners at Pershall Park. Tunde Owolabi, skipper Tom Mitchell and Paul Carney completed the scoring on the day.

Widnes are set to welcome back a number of key players heading into the final game of the season. Danny Lomax is available again after missing the last four games whilst Tom Hackett, Danny Wilson and Braian Strutz-Rivelli are all available for selection again after missing the trip to Rochdale last week.

Ronnie McCarthy and Tony Wynne are also available again after a stint of unavailability whilst Alex Davies could appear for Widnes for the first time since January after Marine’s league season ended last Saturday.

Jamil Campbell-Joseph is the only confirmed absentee for Widnes as he begins a three-match ban for his sending off at Rochdale Town last time out.

Manager Steve Hill is hoping that Saturday's final game of the season, played in front of a home crowd which Hill hopes will expand next season.

"Hopefully we can get some more fans through our doors. That's definitely an area where we need to improve on. We'll only do that by winning games though."