REPORT: Daisy Hill 2-2 Widnes

Widnes FC were forced to settle for a point on Saturday, as Joey Dunn’s side came from behind twice to draw 2-2 at Daisy Hill.

Ashley Stott fired the Daisies into a fourth minute lead but Widnes equalised two minutes later, as Kev Towey netted his 15th goal of the season from close-range.

Stott bagged his second 20 minutes later before Towey missed a penalty late in the first-half for the visitors.

Widnes raised their game in the second half and eventually found a leveller 18 minutes from time, as George Lomax headed home from inside the 6-yard area.

The result leaves Widnes eighth in the Hallmark Security League First Division table, five points behind sixth-placed Sandbach United with two games in-hand.

Manager Dunn made two changes to the side that beat FC Oswestry Town 4-1 last time out. Tom Mitchell and Joe Fielding both dropped to the bench as Widnes reverted to a 4-4-2 system, with Kev Towey and Nathan Quinlan coming into the side.

Meanwhile, midfielder Adam Weston was named amongst the substitutes for Widnes after completing his move from Skelmersdale United earlier in the week.

Daisy Hill raced into an early lead. Curtis Cummins threaded the ball through to strike-partner Ashley Stott who lifted the ball over the on-rushing Richie Mottram and into the back of the net.

Widnes wasted little time in finding an equaliser, and were behind for all of two minutes. Jack Graham burst into the area and provided an inch-perfect cross towards the back-post where Kev Towey was on-hand to guide his header home.

Widnes quickly took control of the game and continued to threaten offensively. Daniel Hand fired over after playing a neat one-two with Towey, before Chris Lomax forced a decent save out of Daisy ‘keeper Craig Haynes minutes later.

Daisy Hill came close to restoring their lead as Widnes’ Quinlan misplaced a pass allowing Stott to race clear. However, Sam Sheen made a crucial challenge deep in his own area to prevent Stott from doubling his account on the day.

Skipper Kev Pollard was also called upon to make an important intervention shortly afterwards as Cummins managed to get in-behind the Widnes defence before his goalbound effort was blocked on the line by the body of the visitors’ captain.

Stott came close again for the hosts midway through the half as drove a shot wide, before Chris Lomax could only shoot straight at Craig Haynes when it was perhaps easier to score.

Widnes’ inefficiencies in front of goal came back to haunt them as Daisy Hill restored their lead nine minutes before the break. Matthew Knowles played a well-weight ball through to Stott, who forced a good save out of Mottram, but the rebound sat up nicely for the striker who promptly tucked it away for his second of the game.

Widnes were at sixes and sevens defensively following the goal, and had the woodwork to thank for preventing a third Daisy goal. Cummins linked up with Matthew Davison who smashed a shot against the bar from just outside the area.

With two minutes to go in the half, Widnes were awarded a controversial penalty. Kev Towey turned his man inside out before he was brought down in the area by David Parker, who appeared to win the ball. However, the referee pointed to the spot just as Widnes’ Hand fired the loose ball into the back of the net.

Towey stepped up himself, but uncharacteristically missed the target with his spot-kick, firing high and wide of the upright.

Halftime: Daisy Hill 2-1 Widnes

Both sides missed chances early in the second half. Defender Parker rose highest to head a corner wide for Daisy Hill, before Mottram’s long-ball forward released Hand, who cut inside but could only fire over for Widnes inside the area.

Widnes ‘keeper Richie Mottram made a magnificent save shortly after the hour-mark, getting his fingertips to a volley from Daisy skipper Craig Naylor from the edge of the D.

Widnes reverted to a 3-5-2 formation with the introduction of Mitchell for Quinlan following the hour-mark. The change allowed Widnes to open the game up and work the ball around.

Dunn’s tactical change eventually lead to Widnes’ second equaliser of the afternoon. Mitchell got forward down the left before rolling the ball into the feet of Chris Lomax. Lomax cut inside before swinging a delicious delivery into the area, finding brother George whose header nestled in the back of the net.

Widnes had their tails up and began to push for a late winner. However, Daisy were resolute and held firm at the back.
Skipper Pollard headed a Jack Graham corner into the ground, forcing ‘keeper Haynes into a solid save.

Widnes’ were the smallest of margins away from a winner 10 minutes from time. Superb football from the visitors was on show as substitute Weston released Hand down the right flank before Widnes cleverly worked the ball across the field. Luke J Edwards picked up the ball on the left, and his cutback fell at the feet of Towey, whose goalbound effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by the stretching Naylor.

Fulltime: Daisy Hill 2-2 Widnes

Next up for Widnes is a tough trip to high-flying City of Liverpool on Tuesday night at the Delta Taxis Stadium in Bootle. The game kicks off at 7.45pm.

Widnes: Richie Mottram, Daniel Hand, Nathan Quinlan (Tom Mitchell 63), Luke J Edwards, Mike Burke, Kev Pollard (C), Kev Towey, Sam Sheen (Adam Weston 78), George Lomax, Jack Graham, Chris Lomax.

Subs not used: Oladimeji Odesanya, Joe Fielding, Matt Rigby.