The three goals came in a 10-minute spell before half-time as Kev Pollard poked the ball home from close-range to give Widnes the lead before Matthew Crothers and James Curley secured the points for Chadderton. Crothers was later sent off for a late challenge on Tom Mitchell two minutes from time.

Joint managers Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard were forced into making four changes to the Widnes side that beat Sandbach United 2-0 in their previous outing. Mike Burke and Luke Edwards were both on holiday, and were replaced in the starting XI by Tom Mitchell and George Webster respectively.

Injuries to strikers Kev Towey and Darrhyl Mason meant that the duo were replaced at the head of the Widnes attack by debutant Jody Binam and James McShane. Towey started on the bench, whilst Mason was ruled out.

The two sides shared half-chances in the relatively quiet early stages as Widnes keeper Richie Mottram was forced into a comfortable save from Matthew Landregan, before Jason McShane saw a shot saved by Chadderton keeper Michael Smith minutes later.

Chadderton came close to taking the lead midway through the first-half. James Curley looked destined to find the net from close-range before Tom Mitchell magnificently intervened to prevent the visitors from taking the lead. Mitchell became the first player to reach 100 appearances in a Widnes shirt with his outing on Saturday

Widnes took the lead 10 minutes before the break. A Widnes corner eventually made its way out to Jon Dawson, who picked out Danny Meadowcroft at the back-post. Meadowcroft calmly headed the ball back across goal where skipper Kev Pollard was on-hand to stab the ball home and net the game’s opener.

Widnes weren’t ahead for long however as Chadderton equalised six minutes later. Defender Elliot Messam played a long-ball forward to Landregan. The striker laid the ball off to Matthew Crothers, who cut inside before firing a shot into the bottom corner, equalising for his side.

Two minutes later, Chadderton should have had a second. Gareth Hill found himself in behind the Widnes defence but could only muster a shot that was comfortably beaten away by Mottram.

Less than 90 seconds later however, Chadderton took the lead. Lloyd Bannister’s initial over-hit cross was sent back into the area by Nicholas Alexander, finding the unmarked James Curley who casually guided the ball home with his chest, capitalising on slack Widnes defending to ensure that Chadderton lead at the break.

Halftime: Widnes 1-2 Chadderton

Following a quiet, and slow start to the second half, Chadderton came close to a third on the hour-mark. A long-ball released striker Hill for the visitors, who took his time before flashing a fierce drive across the face of goal and inches past the far post.

With time beginning to run away from them, Widnes made three changes in quick succession. Luke J Edwards, Jack White and Kev Towey were all introduced as the hosts searched for an equaliser, and perhaps the winner.

Despite the changes, Chadderton continued to threaten. Jack Tuohy, and then Jason Hill both saw efforts blaze over the bar.

The usually influential Towey looked to get on the ball early and often following his introduction from the bench. The forward linked up with skipper Pollard before teeing up Jason McShane who curled over the bar 10 minutes from time as Widnes readied the kitchen sink.

Patient and composed play from Luke J Edwards created a chance for Widnes, as he rolled the ball through to young striker White, who leant back and erratically missed the target for the hosts. The youngster should have at least hit the target with his effort.

Widnes had the ball in the net four minutes later, however it was ruled out by referee Shaun Taylor. Edwards was on-hand to volley the ball into the empty net after White collided with keeper Smith, conceding a free-kick for a fairly innocuous challenge.

There was still time for late drama, as Chadderton goalscorer Crothers was sent off for a late challenge on Mitchell, who was caught with a studs raised tackle that the referee deemed to be a sending off offence.

With a one man advantage, joint manager Meadowcroft moved up-front as Widnes effectively played with a 4-man frontline in second half stoppage time.

It proved to no avail though, as Chadderton held on for the win with keeper Smith saving comfortably from McShane with virtually the last kick of the game.

Fulltime: Widnes 1-2 Chadderton

Next up for Widnes is a trip to Park Hall to take on league newcomers FC Oswestry Town next Saturday (20th August), before entertaining Alsager Town on Monday night (22nd August), who relegated from the Hallmark Security League Premier Division last season.

Widnes: Mottram, Riley, Fielding, Pollard (C), Meadowcroft, Mitchell, Webster, Jason McShane, Binam (White 70), James McShane (L.J. Edwards 66), Dawson (Towey 70).

Subs not used: Knight (GK), Kavanagh.

Chadderton: Smith, Bannister, Minor, Crothers, Messam, J. Hill, Curley, Tuohy, G. Hill, Landregan (Sherriff 90), Alexander (Heron 85).

Subs not used: Wood, Foster, Chike.