REPORT: Stockport Town 2-3 Widnes

Kev Towey converted two penalties as Widnes picked up three valuable points with a 3-2 victory away at Stockport Town.

Towey netted his first spot-kick after just four minutes, converting from 12 yards after the division’s top goalscorer was tripped in the area by the glove of Stockport ‘keeper Daniel Whiting.

Lee O’Brien evened up the scoreline for the hosts on the stroke of half-time with a well-taken volley. However, Widnes quickly regained their lead following the interval, as George Lomax slotted home from close-range before Towey’s second penalty nestled in the back of the net shortly after the hour as Lomax was bundled over in the area.

Nathan Neequaye’s late goal for Stockport proved to be little more than a consolation, as Widnes extended the current winning streak to four games.

Widnes manager Joey Dunn made one change to the side that comfortably dispatched Prestwich Heys 4-0 last time out, as Oladimeji Odesanya came in for Sam Sheen who was only deemed fit enough to make the bench.

The visitors started well and were awarded a penalty inside the opening five minutes. Stockport ‘keeper Daniel Whiting gave possession away to Kev Towey on the edge of the area before tripping the Widnes forward with an outstretched glove, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.

After Whiting escaped with only a caution, Towey stepped up to hammer home his 22nd goal of the season.

The game was scrappy as a contest, as Widnes’ hot start cooled down and the hosts grew into the game. Andrew Graham fired wide for Stockport after a quick free-kick was played into his feet.

Widnes were denied by the woodwork for the first time midway through the opening half. Towey was proving to be a handful for Dunn’s side and after winning a free-kick on the edge of the area, he curled the resulting set-piece against the upright with an effort that would have beaten Whiting had the shot been on target.

The two sides then shared half-chances. Ruben Abreu engineered some space between Widnes’ defence before forcing a comfortable save out of Richie Mottram, whilst Jack Graham dragged a shot across the face of goal and wide for the visitors after good work from Daniel Hand.

There was lengthy break on the half-hour mark as Town’s Jamie Kay picked up what looked to be a serious knee injury after an innocuous collision with Towey. The enforced stoppage seemed to revitalise the Lions who were on top as the half grew to a close.

Abreu spurned a glorious chance to equalise as Widnes’ Hand failed to deal with a loose ball, presenting the Stockport wideman with a great opportunity to find the net. However, he could only lift his effort over the head of the on-rushing Mottram and over the crossbar.

Minutes later, Stockport found an equaliser. Widnes failed to deal with a free-kick that was launched into the area, with the ball coming back out to Lee O’Brien, who brought the ball down well before firing a well-timed volley into the bottom corner beyond the outstretched glove of Mottram.

There was still time for late drama in first half stoppage time. Chris Lomax linked up with Luke J Edwards, who promptly rifled a venomous drive towards goal that rattled the crossbar as Widnes came inches away from re-taking the lead.

Halftime: Stockport Town 1-1 Widnes

For the second consecutive game, Widnes started the second half brightly and were rewarded with an early goal. Towey turned provider as he thread a well-weighted pass through to George Lomax, who managed to slot the ball beneath the on-rushing Whiting and into the back of the net.

Widnes were awarded a second penalty shortly beyond the hour-mark. Towey again looked to thread the ball through to George Lomax who was this time bundled over in the area.

Towey again stepped up, and duly converted his spot-kick in what was almost a carbon copy of his early conversion from 12 yards out.

Towey and Lomax have established a fruitful partnership since the latter joined the Club in late September from St Helens Town. The two have now combined for 15 of the 16 goals scored by Widnes in their last seven games.

A lack of action plagued the rest of the half until Stockport pulled a goal back seven minutes from time.

Nathan Neequaye turned the ball home from close-range after Widnes failed to deal with a free-kick pumped into the area. The goal stood despite ‘keeper Mottram’s claims of offside.

Fulltime: Stockport Town 2-3 Widnes

Next up for Widnes is a potentially tough trip to Alsager Town on Tuesday night. However, Widnes will be buoyed by the previous meeting between the two sides; a 5-3 victory for Widnes in the Macron Cup in early October.

Widnes: Richie Mottram, Daniel Hand, Jamie Harkness (Joe Fielding 10), Oladimeji Odesanya (Adam Weston 70), Mike Burke, Kev Pollard (C), Kev Towey, Luke J Edwards, George Lomax, Jack Graham, Chris Lomax.

Subs not used: Tom Mitchell, Sam Sheen, Nathan Quinlan.