REPORT: Whitchurch Alport 2-5 Widnes

Chris Lomax netted a hat-trick as Widnes FC put five past high-flying Whitchurch Alport at Yockings Park on Wednesday night.

Lomax headed home the opener on eight minutes before Ryan Thomas pounced to level for Alport seven minutes later. The scoreline was only level for three minutes however as Lomax netted his second before Kev Towey’s 14th goal of the season from the spot made it 3-1 at the break.

Skipper Kev Pollard headed in Widnes’ fourth early in the second half, putting Widnes in a comfortable and commanding position. Substitute Dan Tinsley pulled a goal back late on for Alport with a penalty before Lomax completed his hat-trick inside stoppage time to complete a very impressive performance from Joey Dunn’s side.

Dunn made two changes to the side that beat Alsager Town 5-3 on Saturday. Oladimeji Odesanya and Nathan Quinlan were replaced by Joe Fielding and the debuting Sam Sheen, who completed his move from St Helens Town on Monday.

The two sides had already met this season, with Whitchurch running out 3-1 winners at the Select Security Stadium in early September.

Both sides started well and came close to an opener inside the early minutes. Dean Twigg dragged a shot across the face of goal and wide for the hosts before Luke J Edwards hit a thunderous drive just wide for Widnes.

Minutes later, Widnes took the lead. A superb ball from Kev Towey found Chris Lomax at the back post, who drifted away from his man before finding the back of the net with a looping header, leaving Danny Read with no chance.

Widnes’ lead didn’t last long as Alport found a leveller on the 15-minute mark. Richie Mottram dropped a cross from the left, allowing Ryan Thomas to pounce on the loose ball and stab home the equaliser.

Widnes regained their lead three minutes later. Widnes were patient in the build-up before a neat touch from Towey allowed Joe Fielding to burst into the area. Fielding rolled the ball into the feet of Chris Lomax, whose shot on goal took a wicked deflection before nestling in the back of the net for his second goal of the night.

Widnes again looked to take control of the ball and keep possession for long periods of the game. Lomax and Danny Hand both saw half-chances fizz wide of the target.

On the stroke of half-time, Widnes were awarded a penalty. Intricate play between George and Chris Lomax allowed Towey to engineer space in the area before being bundled over by Luke Goddard. Towey took the spot-kick himself and scored; his eighth goal in his last six games.

Half-time: Whitchurch Alport 1-3 Widnes

Widnes carried their momentum into the second half and found a fourth three minutes into the second period. Jack Graham’s corner was met by the head of skipper Kev Pollard, who was left unmarked to head the ball down and into the back of the net.

The visitors were inches away from a fifth shortly afterwards. George Lomax got in behind the Alport defence before delivering a delicious ball towards Towey in the area who couldn’t quite get on the end of to turn the ball home.

Alport rarely threatened as Widnes dominated and defended well. A loose ball fell to Matt Ashbrook in the area but skipper Pollard threw his body in the way to block the shot.

Widnes spurned a chance to add to their tally midway through the half. Graham again delivered a dangerous corner-kick with Mike Burke’s mistimed header falling at the feet of debutant Sheen, who quickly teed-up George Lomax who wildly fired his shot over from close-range.

Late on, George Lomax raced through for Widnes with the goal at his mercy but the striker couldn’t quite find the far corner with his effort.

Whitchurch were awarded a penalty during the last minute of normal time as Mike Burke was penalised for handling the ball in the area. Substitute Dan Tinsley stepped up and converted the penalty despite Widnes ‘keeper Mottram’s best efforts to make the save.

Despite conceding late on, Widnes’ Lomax completed his hat-trick inside second half stoppage time. It was another well-worked goal for the visitors as Edwards rolled the ball into the feet of his teammate, who took a touch before firing his shot into the top corner to round-off a five-star performance from Joey Dunn’s men.

Full-time: Whitchurch Alport 2-5 Widnes

Widnes now face a brief break from league action with a trip to FC Oswestry Town in the First Round of the Reusch First Division Cup. That game will be played this Sunday, kicking-off at 4.30pm.

Whitchurch Alport: Read, Marley (Hughes 54), Ledwards, McNichol, Goddard, Thomas, Blundell (James 46), C. Everall, S. Everall (D. Tinsley 78), Twigg, Ashbrook.

Subs not used: Minshall, A. Tinsley.

Widnes: Richie Mottram, Daniel Hand, Joe Fielding (Matt Rigby 76), Kev Pollard (C), Mike Burke, Sam Sheen, Kev Towey, Luke J Edwards, George Lomax, Jack Graham, Chris Lomax.

Subs not used: Tom Mitchell, George Webster.