REPORT: Alsager Town 1-2 Widnes

An injury-time goal from Chris Lomax saw Widnes extend their current run of victories to five with a 2-1 win over Alsager Town, ending the hosts' unbeaten home record in the process.

George Lomax put Widnes ahead shortly after the half-hour mark to put Joey Dunn’s side in firm control heading into the break.

Jonathan Beaumont equalised 20 minutes from time before Lomax’s late strike nestled in the bottom corner to clinch Widnes’ fifth consecutive victory.

Manager Dunn made two changes to the side that beat Stockport Town last time out. Adam Weston was handed his first start in a Widnes shirt as he replaced Oladimeji Odesanya, whilst Joe Fielding came in for the injured Jamie Harkness.

Both sides started well and shared half chances in the opening minutes in misty conditions at Wood Park. Michael Lennon forced a smart stop out of Richie Mottram early on, before Mottram’s opposite number Chris Fletcher pushed a George Lomax shot away from goal.

Widnes controlled possession for large parts of the half and continued to look threatening offensively. Lomax then turned provider as he linked up with Jack Graham, who forced another decent stop out of Fletcher.

It was a feisty and physical affair throughout with tackles flying in from both sides. Alsager’s Josh Bowden was booked for a bad challenge on Weston that left Widnes’ George Lomax incensed, who was booked for his reaction.

George Lomax was lively in the first half, and put Widnes ahead shortly beyond the half-hour mark. Kev Towey was exceptional in the build-up, as he lead the charge before threading the ball through to Lomax, who took a touch before finding the roof of the net with a sublime finish.

Halftime: Alsager Town 0-1 Widnes

Widnes had Alsager hot under the cosh as the half drew to the close, and continued to look lively early in the second period as Towey drove a shot over for the visitors after cutting in from the right.

However, the visitors grew into the game as the half went on and found a leveller shortly beyond the midway point.

Widnes could only half-clear a free-kick to Jonathan Beaumont on the edge of the area, who had far too much time to arrow his shot into the bottom corner, beyond the outstretched Mottram.

It was end to end from that point onwards, as both sides launched bodies forward in search of a winner.

Luke J Edwards drove a shot wide for the visitors, before Kyle Diskin’s dangerous delivery for the hosts evaded a crowd of bodies in the area and ran just wide of the near-post.

Widnes continued to apply pressure late on. Jack Graham burst forward and linked up with Towey who saw a shot blocked. The loose ball was worked wide to Joe Fielding on the left, whose cross was fired at goal by Chris Lomax, only for the effort to be blocked by the body of Alsager skipper Paul Taylor.

The game looked to be heading for a draw, forcing both sides to have to settle for a share of the spoils. However, a superb challenge from Adam Weston deep in his own half set Widnes on their way.

Chris Lomax spearheaded the Widnes counter-attack, carrying the ball forward deep into Alsager territory, playing a neat one-two with Luke J Edwards before cutting inside and directing a daisy cutter into the bottom corner, burying his shot past the despairing dive of Fletcher.

Fulltime: Alsager Town 1-2 Widnes

Lomax’s late winner secured a very valuable three points for Dunn’s side, who are continuing to close the gap on the teams ahead of them in the playoff places.

Widnes now sit 7th in the Hallmark Security League First Division table, three points behind 6th placed Sandbach United with a game in-hand.

Next up for Widnes is a home game against Holker Old Boys at the Select Security Stadium on Saturday.

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

Subs not used: Tom Mitchell, Nathan Quinlan, Tom Freeman.