REPORT: FC Oswestry Town 1-3 Widnes

|Match Report by Callum Chadwick

Kev Towey netted a hat-trick as Widnes FC ran out 3-1 winners at FC Oswestry Town to maintain their 100% record on the road this season.

Towey opened the scoring with an audacious lob from 35 yards out, before netting his second midway through the second half after George Webster capitalised on a defensive error before picking out the Widnes striker.

The Widnes No.7 completed his hat-trick 15 minutes from time, finding the bottom corner after good work from Darrhyl Mason to provide the assist.

Callum Graybrook scored a late consolation for the hosts, finding the top corner with a fine finish in the last minute of normal time.

Widnes joint managers Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard made four changes to the side that were beaten 2-1 by Chadderton last time out. Mike Burke and Luke Edwards were unavailable for that game, and returned to the side as they replaced Joe Fielding and James McShane respectively. Meanwhile, Towey returned to the starting XI coming in for Jody Banim whilst Dale Korie-Butler made his first start of the season, replacing George Webster.

Ryan Malone and Darrhyl Mason were named amongst the substitutes following spells on the sidelines with injuries.

Widnes had the better of the opening exchanges and Oswestry keeper Austin was called into action early as Luke Edwards dispatched Towey with a great through-ball before the Widnes striker forced a save out of Town’s keeper.

Widnes continuously looked dangerous but lacked the final product that would punish their opponents. Korie-Butler looked lively for the visitors, and he linked up with Towey midway through the half, but the latter could only turn his effort over the bar.

On the stroke of the half-hour mark, Widnes opened the scoring in spectacular style. The visitors routinely dealt with a corner before Kev Pollard launched a ball forward towards Kev Towey. Towey turned his man on the halfway line and advanced forward before opportunistically lobbing the ball over the head of keeper Austin and into the back of the net.

It should have been 2-0 three minutes later. Edwards combined with Jason McShane to feed Towey who attempted to round the keeper but took one too many touches, allowing Austin to collect the ball and the chance was gone.

Halftime: FC Oswestry Town 0-1 Widnes

In the second half, Widnes picked up where they left off and remained in control. Korie-Butler launched a counter-attack and found Towey. The forward was clearly hungry for more goals but on this occasion, he could only drag his shot wide.

Edwards then went close on the hour-mark, intercepting a loose pass before surging forward and forcing a decent save out of Austin.

Towey netted his second on the 66-minute mark. Substitute George Webster intercepted a mis-placed Rob Shone pass and played the ball back for Towey to sweep a shot past Austin and into the bottom corner.

Towey’s third goal of the season was soon followed by his fourth, completing his hat-trick. Darrhyl Mason, who had just been introduced from the bench, muscled his man off the ball to provide the ball on a plate for Towey to guide into the far corner with a neat finish.

Despite missing last Saturday’s defeat with a knee injury, Mason looked like he’d never been away. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, Mason waited patiently for an opening but could only fire his shot inches past the post.

Regardless of Widnes being in control for large parts of the game, Oswestry managed to grab a consolation in the last minute of normal time. Substitute Callum Graybrook was the scorer, finding the far corner with a great finish after Town played a corner short.

Fulltime: FC Oswestry Town 1-3 Widnes

Widnes now sit in 5th in the Hallmark Security League First Division table after winning three of their opening four games.

In what is beginning to look like a big early season clash, Widnes host Alsager Town on Monday night at the Select Security Stadium. Widnes then travel to Eccleshall next Saturday (27th August).

FC Oswestry: Austin, Durrell, Jones, Graham, Mondiwa, Shone, Hillington (Gerrard 79), Jones, Lewis (Litchfield 67), Harris, Price (Graybrook 67).

Subs not used: Tinsley, Stevens.

Widnes: Mottram, Riley, Mitchell, Pollard, Meadowcroft (Webster 51), Burke, Towey (James McShane 78), Jason McShane, Korie-Butler (Mason 68), Edwards, Dawson.

Subs not used: Malone, White.