Strikers Kev Towey and Darrhyl Mason opened their accounts for Widnes as Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard’s side ran out 2-0 winners over Hallmark Security League First Division newcomers Sandbach United, as Monday Night Football returned to the Select Security Stadium.

In front of a healthy crowd of 131, Towey opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time with a looping header, before Mason completed the scoring two minutes from time, heading home the rebound after his initial effort was saved by Sandbach keeper Adam Hilton.

Meadowcroft and Pritchard named an unchanged side from Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Prestwich Heys, as the duo began their managerial reign with a win at Adie Moran Park. The only change was George Webster’s inclusion in the 16-man squad ahead of Luke J Edwards.

The two sides shared half-chances in the opening minutes as Josh Lane sliced wide for Sandbach, before Darrhyl Mason couldn’t quite connect fully with a header from Luke Edwards’ cross, as the forward glanced wide.

The opening half of the first period was quiet, as both sides exchanged possession of the ball. Widnes did have a penalty shout turned down on the 20-minute mark, as Mike Burke released Kev Towey, who went down in the area under the challenge of Sandbach keeper Hilton, but referee Oliver Lynn waved away the protests.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Sandbach spurned a glorious opportunity to take the lead. Lane whipped a teasing ball into the 6-yard area, which was met by the unmarked Alfred Hammond, who mistimed his diving header, completely missing the target when it was far easier to find the back of the net.

Widnes were far from their best in the opening half-hour, but started to show signs of improvement in the half’s latter stages. Jack Riley picked out a terrific run from skipper Kev Pollard, who turned and picked out Jon Dawson with his cross, but the former Witton Albion man could only volley over the crossbar.

Jason McShane saw an effort deflect over the bar, before Sandbach again failed to convert a great opportunity. Simon Pearson curled his delivery towards the back-post, finding DeReece Gardner, who couldn’t quite get a shot away within the 6-yard area, allowing Widnes goalkeeper Richie Mottram to collect the loose ball.

Widnes punished the visitors for their inefficiencies in front of goal three minutes prior to the break, as Kev Towey’s looping header crept in at the far-post, bouncing in off of the woodwork despite keeper Hilton’s best efforts to keep the ball out. Towey’s header was his first goal for the club since a summer transfer from Barnton.

Halftime: Widnes 1-0 Sandbach United

Widnes were perhaps a tad fortunate to be ahead at the break, as Sandbach were made to regret their inefficiencies in front of goal, failing to convert twice from inside the 6-yard area.

Sandbach started the second half well. Gardner blazed an erratic effort over the bar, before Lane and Christopher Jackson forced decent saves out of keeper Mottram.

A terrific intervention from Sandbach skipper Thomas Watkin prevented a Widnes second, as Towey linked up with Dawson who raced towards goal before being denied by an excellent sliding challenge from Watkin as he attempted to pull the trigger.

Widnes were denied a second penalty appeal on the 70-minute mark. Mason went on a magnificent, lung-busting run into the area before being bundled over following a challenge from Nathan Jones, to the chagrin of Widnes joint manager Brian Pritchard in the technical area.

Despite a late push for an equaliser from Sandbach, Widnes wrapped up the three points thanks to a tremendous piece of individual brilliance from Darrhyl Mason.

Mason picked the ball up on the right wing and found himself boxed in the corner by two Sandbach defenders. Ignoring teammate Luke Edwards, Mason turned past one defender, and nutmegged before racing towards goal. His initial effort was saved by keeper Hilton, but Mason was on-hand to head home the rebound, capping off a potential goal of the season contender.

Fulltime: Widnes 2-0 Sandbach United

Kicking-off the season with two wins from two, Widnes top the Hallmark Security League First Division for the first time ever for 24 hours at the very least.

Widnes’ campaign continues with another home game this coming Saturday, as Chadderton visit the Select Security Stadium. That game kicks-off at 3pm.

Widnes: Mottram, Riley, Fielding, Pollard (James McShane 55), Meadowcroft, Burke, Towey (White 89), Jason McShane, Mason, Dawson (Rigby 83), Edwards.

Subs not used: Webster, Mitchell.

Sandbach: Hilton, Pearson, Clayton, Watkin (Livesey 70), Jones, Cooper, Hammond, Lane, Gardner (Stockton 80), Jackson, Simpson (Riley 51).

Subs not used: Herd.