REPORT: City of Liverpool 1-2 Widnes

Widnes FC’s fine start to life under Joey Dunn shows no signs of stopping as Dunn’s side ran-out 2-1 winners away at City of Liverpool.

After a goalless first half, Widnes took the lead seven minutes into the second half as Kev Towey netted his sixth goal in his last five games before George Lomax’s sublime finish increased the visitors’ lead 10 minutes later.

Tom Peterson’s 88th minute header set up a tense finish but Widnes held on for all three points.

Manager Dunn made one change to the side that drew 2-2 at Daisy Hill on Saturday. Tom Mitchell came in for Nathan Quinlan who dropped to the bench, as Widnes reverted to a 3-5-2 formation.

Blustery conditions at the Delta Taxis Stadium made life difficult for both sides early on. George Lomax had the game’s first shot on goal, but it was erratic and whistled wide of the upright.

The Purples’ goalkeeper Stephen Longrigg was called into action six minutes later, saving well from Towey’s daisy-cutter.

Towey came close to the game’s opener midway through the half. Widnes strung multiple passes together before Chris Lomax’s cross picked out the visitors’ talisman at the back post, but Longrigg was on-hand to make a terrific save from close-range.

Two minutes later, the hosts again had Longrigg to thank as Widnes’ Graham played a neat one-two with Chris Lomax, before picking out skipper Kev Pollard in the area, whose header towards goal was tipped over at point-blank range by the City of Liverpool shot-stopper.

Simon Burton’s hosts grew into the game as the half went on. City of Liverpool’s best chance of the half came from the quick-feet of winger Declan Gregson, who engineered space for a cross, finding the head of Daley Woods in the area but Widnes ‘keeper Richie Mottram made a good save to push the ball away from danger.

Halftime: City of Liverpool 0-0 Widnes

Widnes started the second half in a similar vein and should have taken the lead. Graham’s in-swinging corner from the left was narrowly headed wide by George Lomax at the back-post.

On the 53-minute mark, Widnes broke the deadlock. After patient build-up play, Chris Lomax threaded the ball through to Kev Towey, who took a touch before directing the ball in at the near-post for his 16th goal of the season.

Ten minutes later, Widnes doubled their lead. George Lomax played a neat one-two with brother Chris before cutting inside from the left flank and finding the top corner with a sublime finish, silencing the vocal home crowd in the process.

City of Liverpool made all three changes as they began to chase the game. Manager Burton introduced Michael Smith, Michael Roberts and Tom Peterson in an effort to irk out a result again long-time rival Dunn, who so frequently had his number when the two managed Runcorn Town and Linnets respectively.

The last 15 minutes were played at a frantic pace. The hosts were throwing bodies forward whilst Widnes continued to look threatening on the break.

Peterson looked to make an immediate impact but could only force a solid save out of Mottram, before substitute Smith and striker Woods missed the target with long-range efforts.

The hosts pulled a goal back two minutes from time. A ball in from the right was diverted in by the head of substitute Peterson, setting up a tense finish and lifting the home crowd.

Widnes had chances in stoppage time to put the game to bed. George Lomax burst forward on the counter-attack, leading the charge on his own but could only drag his shot across the face of goal and wide as he advanced into the area.

Sam Sheen also looked to be through on goal but a terrific challenge from City of Liverpool full back Joseph Camozzi prevented a third goal for Widnes.

Camozzi then got forward for the hosts, but could only fire wide of the post with a shot that Mottram had covered.

Daley Woods headed over from inside the 6-yard area with seconds remaining as Widnes held on for a very valuable three points.

Fulltime: City of Liverpool 1-2 Widnes

Widnes’ fifth victory in six games under Joey Dunn means that the Whites’ sit two points off the playoff spots in 7th with a game in-hand.

Widnes are now beginning to catch the leading pack after a slow start, with multiple games in-hand on the teams currently occupying the playoff spots.

Next up for Widnes is a trip to Sandbach United next Tuesday night. That game will be played at Alsager Town.

Widnes: Richie Mottram, Daniel Hand, Tom Mitchell, Luke J Edwards, Mike Burke, Kev Pollard (C), Kev Towey (Adam Weston 89), Sam Sheen, George Lomax, Jack Graham, Chris Lomax.

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