REPORT: Widnes 2-2 Holker Old Boys

A Chris Lomax brace rescued a point for Widnes on Saturday, as Joey Dunn’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Holker Old Boys at the Select Security Stadium.

The Stags took an 11th minute lead against the run of play as John-Paul Stanway rifled hammered home from close-range before Chris Lomax equalised for Widnes shortly beyond the half-hour mark.

Holker were reduced to 10-men early in the second half as Gareth Smith was dismissed by referee Adam Brown for a two-footed challenge on Widnes debutant Steve Akrigg.

However, the visitors were spirited and went back in front through David Swarbrick before Lomax once again equalised with a good finish from close-range for Widnes, who were ultimately forced to settle for a point.

Manager Dunn made three changes to the side that edged Alsager Town 2-1 in midweek. Skipper Kev Pollard, Mike Burke and Adam Weston were unavailable for selection. Steve Akrigg came in for his debut following his arrival from Skelmersdale United on Thursday, whilst Tom Mitchell and Sam Sheen also returned to the starting XI.

The hosts started well and came close to a second minute opener. Jack Graham unleashed a powerful drive towards goal that took a wicked deflection on the way, forcing Holker keeper Jaroslaw Bitner into a great save.

Widnes saw a lot of the ball in the opening exchanges, but fell behind against the run of play as the visitors took the lead.

David Swarbrick received a pass from Christopher Wraighte, managing to evade a Tom Mitchell challenge before releasing John-Paul Stanway who rifled a shot from close-range into the roof of the net to put the visitors ahead.

Widnes came close to an equaliser on the half-hour mark as a crucial intervention from Sam Sheen set Kev Towey on his way, rolling a pass into George Lomax who could only direct his effort straight into the grateful gloves of Bitner.

Two minutes later, Widnes were level. Graham filtered a ball through to Chris Lomax, who was strong enough to brilliantly turn his man before steering his shot into the bottom corner, netting his 10th goal of the season.

Widnes continued to look threatening as George Lomax forced Kevin Watkin into an error, advancing forward with his cutback finding Luke J Edwards, who could only force a comfortable save out of Bitner.

Inside first half stoppage time, Widnes came close to taking the lead as Edwards forced another good save out of Bitner, with Chris Lomax turning the rebound over the bar.

Halftime: Widnes 1-1 Holker Old Boys

Widnes were denied by the woodwork with their first real chance of the second half. Chris Lomax, who was presented with Player of the Month award for October prior to kick-off, was exceptional in the build-up as he cleverly turned away from James Bonner before feeding Kev Towey, who engineered space for a shot that struck the foot of the post.

The ball eventually came back out to right-back Daniel Hand, who fired a shot across the face of goal and wide.

Holker were reduced to 10-men as the hour-mark approached. Gareth Smith was shown a straight red card for a wild, two-footed challenge on debutant Akrigg.

Despite their one-man disadvantage, Holker rallied and came close to taking the lead midway through the half. The visitors launched a counter-attack through Wraighte with Samuel Joel turning the ball over from 12 yards when it was perhaps easier to score.

Two minutes later, Holker took the lead. Another incisive breakway from the visitors this time produced a goal as David Swarbrick raced away from Mitchell before advancing forward and finding the top corner with his effort.

Widnes weren’t behind for long and equalised for a second time 13 minutes from time. Towey squared a pass to Chris Lomax, who advanced into the area, holding off challenges from two men before rolling a shot into the bottom corner for his third goal in two games.

Widnes launched the kitchen sink at Holker as time ticked away. Right-back Hand fizzed a cross across the face of goal that evaded everyone before running across the face of goal and wide.

Jack Graham did extremely well to turn away from two men, finding Lomax with his cutback, whose shot looked destined for the top corner but was blocked by the body of Jamie Cowan, denying the Widnes winger his third hat-trick of the season.

Inside stoppage time, Widnes’ last roll of the dice was routinely dealt with by Holker, as Hand saw an effort comfortably saved by Bitner.

Fulltime: Widnes 2-2 Holker Old Boys

Despite the disappointing result, Widnes have now extended their current unbeaten run to six consecutive games without defeat.

Up next for Widnes is a trip to Premier Division side Winsford United in the Third Round of the Macron Cup next Saturday.

Widnes: Richie Mottram, Daniel Hand, Joe Fielding (Nathan Quinlan 82), Tom Mitchell, Mike Burke, Sam Sheen, Kev Towey, Luke J Edwards, George Lomax, Jack Graham, Chris Lomax.

Subs not used: Oladimeji Odesanya, Tom Freeman.