REPORT: Widnes 1-4 Alsager Town

Widnes FC threatened a second-half turnaround against Alsager Town on Monday night but ultimately fell short as The Bullets ran out 4-1 winners at the Select Security Stadium, inflicting Widnes’ second consecutive home loss.

Daniel Glover put Alsager ahead shortly after the half hour-mark after Tom Mitchell was penalised for handball. Darrhyl Mason equalised for Widnes 10 minutes after the break, setting up an interesting second half.

However, it wasn’t to be as Widnes’ teased turnaround failed to come to fruition as Alsager completed their victory, as Glover completed his hat-trick with two further strikes, before Dave Harry’s 75th minute winner secured the points for the visitors.

Widnes joint managers Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard made four changes to the side that beat FC Oswestry Town 3-1 on Saturday. Jon Dawson and Mike Burke were both unavailable and replaced in the lineup by Darrhyl Mason and James McShane. Luke Edwards dropped to the bench, and was replaced by debutant Jack Graham.

Meanwhile, Meadowcroft was unable to play after picking up an injury in Saturday’s victory, and was replaced by Matt Rigby.

Both teams started well and shared chances in the opening exchanges. Alsager goalkeeper Bradley Moorhead made two comfortable saves in the opening 10 minutes. Firstly, Jack Riley forced a save out of the keeper after exchanging neat passes with Jason McShane before James McShane shot straight into the gloves of the Bullets’ shot-stopper.

Alsager’s first chance came on the 12-minute mark. Kyle Stubbs linked up with Josh Glover who surged forward for the visitors. He rolled a pass into Samuel Tomkinson who could only find the side-netting with his shot.

Darrhyl Mason, fit enough to start after his substitute appearance at Oswestry, picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal but could only muster a shot that sailed high and wide of the target. Minutes later, Tomkinson again threatened for Alsager but blazed his shot into row Z of the West Stand.

Alsager were awarded a penalty on the half-hour mark. Matt Rigby gave possession away to Joe Minton who advanced forward but his cut-back into the area struck the hand of Widnes defender Tom Mitchell. Referee Simon Robinson awarded the penalty and cautioned Mitchell in the process. Former Port Vale professional, and Hednesford Town loanee Daniel Glover stepped up and calmly found the bottom corner with his spot-kick.

Glover was a constant threat for the visitors. He went close again 7 minutes before the break, cutting inside of Pollard before firing wide of the far-post.

Halftime: Widnes 0-1 Alsager Town

Widnes made one change at the break, introducing Luke Edwards in place of Dale Korie-Butler. Meadowcroft and Pritchard switched to a 4-3-3 system at the start of the second half; a change that almost produced immediate results.

It took a terrific Moorhead save to prevent a Widnes equaliser in the opening minute of the second period. Jack Graham did well to play a teasing ball into the 6-yard area, finding Kev Towey who was denied a certain goal by the outstretched glove of Moorhead, preventing Towey from adding to his hat-trick on Saturday against Oswestry.

Widnes started the second half extremely well and wasted little time in finding the equaliser. Towey turned provider, playing a delicious ball over the top through to strike-partner Darrhyl Mason, who took his chance well as he lifted the ball over the head of the on-rushing Moorhead and into the back of the net.

Widnes were firmly back in the game, and many would have fancied the hosts to go on and take all three points. Edwards fired a free-kick over as Widnes continued their impressive start to the half.

However, Alsager were well-drilled and re-took the lead on the 65-minute mark. Referee Robinson dubiously awarded a free-kick to the visitors, penalising skipper Kev Pollard for an apparent trip on Daniel Glover despite the Widnes man appearing to cleanly win the ball.

Glover stepped up and dispatched the free-kick and the second goal of the game, driving the ball through the wall and beyond the outstretched Mottram.

The visitors increased their lead five minutes later as Glover completed his hat-trick. Winger Joe Minton was impressive on the night for the visitors, breezing past Rigby before delivering a cross towards substitute Dave Harry. Harry calmly guided the ball to Glover with his chest, who netted his third with a well-timed half-volley into the bottom corner.

15 minutes from time, Alsager netted their fourth. Widnes will have been disappointed with the manner in which they conceded the goal. Bullets’ right-back Troy Bourne was left alone in the penalty area to roll the ball into the feet of earlier provider Dave Harry, who slotted the ball home to compound Widnes’ misery.

Fulltime: Widnes 1-4 Alsager Town

Widnes came crashing back down to Earth following Saturday’s victory. The management team of Meadowcroft and Pritchard will be demanding yet another positive reaction from their players as they travel to Staffordshire to take on bottom club Eccleshall at Pershall Park on Saturday.

Widnes: Mottram, Riley, Rigby (White 72), Pollard (C), Mitchell, James McShane, Towey, Jason McShane, Mason, Graham (Webster 71), Korie-Butler (Edwards 46).

Subs not used: Malone, Salt.

Alsager Town: Moorhead, Bourne, Stubbs, Mountford, Taylor, Holmes, Minton (Donaldson 80), Diskin, D. Glover, Tomkinson (Harry 59), J. Glover (Bennion 78).

Subs not used: Dawson, Sargeant.