Widnes 1-2 Eccleshall

Widnes FC ended their 2015/16 season in disappointing fashion as Eccleshall edged Steve Hill’s side 2-1 at the Select Security Stadium on the final day of the season.

The travelling Eagles had taken the lead in the 49th minute through Jack Warren before Paul Carney equalised for the hosts 20 minutes from time with a true goal of the season contender as the Widnes man lobbed Eccleshall keeper Benjamin James from 25 yards. However, despite Widnes throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the visitors in search of a winner, it was Eccleshall who had the last laugh as Dean Twigg converted a last-minute penalty to secure the points for the away side, after Widnes’ Danny Wilson dragged down Max Linaker in the area.

Both sides came into the game in good form. Widnes had won three consecutive games, their best run in the North West Counties Football League since September 2014, having beaten Atherton LR, Ashton Town and Rochdale Town along the way. Meanwhile, Eccleshall’s midweek defeat at Chadderton ended an impressive three-match unbeaten run.

Widnes started the better of the two sides and came close to taking the lead as Tunde Owolabi did well to link up with striking partner Jamil Campbell-Joseph who rifled a cross across the face of goal that was begging for a tap-in that didn’t come in as the ball ran out for a goal-kick.

Minutes later, defender Danny Wilson picked the ball up in his own half and advanced forward for Widnes before playing a great through ball through to Owolabi whose eventual shot on goal lacked conviction as his effort was comfortably saved by Eccleshall keeper Benjamin James.

Owolabi spurned yet another glorious opportunity to continue his good form midway through the half as Campbell-Joseph picked out the Widnes striker in the area as the former missed the target with his effort from inside the area. Owolabi will have been disappointed with his inability to hit the target with his shot.

Widnes dominated possession throughout large parts of the first half which lead to Hill’s team creating more chances. However, Eccleshall looked threatening on the counter-attack, particularly through striker Angelo Errico who looked particularly dangerous for the away side when attacking.

Widnes were inches away from taking the lead 10 minutes prior to half time. A long ball over the top was met by a clever run from Campbell-Joseph, who timed his run well to evade the offside trap before lifting the ball over the on-rushing keeper James but wide of the post as the goal was gaping.

Halftime: Widnes 0-0 Eccleshall

Despite being the better of the two sides in the first half, Widnes started the second half poorly and were promptly punished as Eccleshall took the lead.

A good move from the visitors ended with a finish to match as Jack Warren engineered space for a shot that whistled into the top corner beyond the outstretched Ben Morrow as Eccleshall took the lead.

Widnes' recovery from a poor start to the half was sluggish and Eccleshall came close to punishing them yet again. As Widnes switched to a 3-5-2 formation, Errico turned away from George McGrogan, before cutting inside and forcing a solid save out of Morrow who held the shot well.

Chances were sparse in the second half with Widnes’ Luke Edwards curling a free-kick being Widnes’ best chance of the opening twenty-five minutes of the half before Eccleshall came close to doubling their lead as Errico got in behind the Widnes backline on the counter-attack, racing clear only to be denied by a solid stop from Morrow, who got out quickly to make the save with his feet.

Widnes found an equaliser twenty minutes from time. In spectacular style, Paul Carney continued his impressive goalscoring run against Eccleshall, as he lobbed a shot from 25 yards into the top corner, over the head of visiting keeper James to level the scoreline as Carney netted his fifth goal in his last four games against the Staffordshire-based outfit.

Widnes then threw everything but the kitchen sink at Eccleshall in search of a winner. Edwards floated a cross in towards the back-post which was met by the head of Campbell-Joseph who nodded the ball wide of the target before Owolabi found himself one-on-one with James before ultimately snatched at his chance, as he fired wide of the target, missing a glorious opportunity to win it for Widnes.

Owolabi’s inefficiencies in front of goal came back to haunt himself and Widnes as Eccleshall were awarded a penalty two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the second half as Max Linaker went on a mazy, individual run into the area before being dragged down by Danny Wilson as he set himself to shoot. The referee awarded a penalty that Dean Twigg placed into the bottom corner despite Morrow’s best efforts to make the save to secure all three points for the visitors.

Fulltime: Widnes 1-2 Eccleshall

The defeat means that Widnes finish 13th in the NWCFL First Division table after an upturn in form prior to Saturday’s defeat.

Plans will now ultimately to be put into place to begin preparation for Widnes’ fourth season in the North West Counties Football League with pre-season fixture beginning to be arranged prior the season’s kick-off in August.

Widnes: Morrow, McGrogan, Carney, Wilson, Mitchell (C), Toner, Hackett (Murphy 76), Wright (Ryan 46), Owolabi, Campbell-Joseph, Edwards.

Subs not used: Davidson.

Eccleshall: James, Whittaker (Dunne 12), Dyer, Beech, McKay, Warren, Linaker, Aidley, Errico, Greene, Twigg.

Subs not used: None.