REPORT: Litherland REMYCA 6-5 Widnes

Widnes FC fell to their first away defeat of the season on Wednesday night, losing 6-5 at Litherland REMYCA in a highly entertaining fixture at Litherland Sports Park.

Widnes started well but found themselves 2-0 down after just 12 minutes as strikes from Alex Ryan and Colin McDonald put REMYCA in the ascendency. However, Widnes ended the half as the better side and were duly rewarded as Kev Towey pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors carried their momentum into the second period and scored three times in the opening 20 minutes of the half to lead 4-2. A sensational strike from Danny Laverty and two further goals from Towey completed his second hat-trick of the season.

REMYCA rallied and drew level with 15 minutes to go. Ryan netted his second before substitute James McGrane equalised for the hosts. Widnes immediately replied and restored their lead as skipper Kev Pollard turned home at the back-post.

Despite Widnes’ lead, the hosts turned it around late on as Tom Foley and Ewan McKevitt secured the points for Phil Stafford’s men.

Widnes interim manager Danny Salt made two changes to the side that beat Atherton LR 4-2 in their previous outing. Mike Burke and Luke Edwards came in for Jason McShane and Ryan Malone.

Meanwhile, Dale Davies and George Lomax were named amongst the substitutes for Widnes, potentially in-line to make the first appearance in a Widnes shirt. Lomax completed his move from St Helens Town earlier in the week.

Regardless of Widnes’ positive start to the game, REMYCA took the lead on the 9-minute mark. Widnes cheaply lost possession deep in their own half allowing Colin Quirk to pick out Alex Ryan at the back-post who put the hosts ahead with a tidy finish.

Three minutes later, REMYCA doubled their lead. Niall Gannon saw a shot blocked for Litherland, with the ball sitting up nicely for Colin McDonald, who guided the ball home on the half-volley.

Widnes reacted well to the early deficit as strikers Towey and Harvey forced a couple of saves out of Litherland ‘keeper Lee Carroll as the visitors looked for the all-important third goal.

Widnes pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time. Kev Pollard’s free-kick forward fell at the feet of Kev Towey, who found the far corner with a clever finish on the turn.

Halftime: Litherland REMYCA 2-1 Widnes

The game was finely poised at the break with Widnes heading in with hard-earned momentum.

Widnes carried that momentum into the second period and equalised five minutes into the half. James McShane’s corner came back out to Danny Laverty, who recorded his first goal for Widnes in spectacular style, finding the top corner in off the post from all of 30 yards.

Five minutes later, Widnes were ahead. Kev Towey brought the ball down before coming inside from the left. Towey then pulled the trigger from the edge of the D with his shot finding its way into the back of the net despite Carroll appearing to get a good hand on the effort.

Towey completed his hat-trick 10 minutes later. Substitute Jason McShane almost made an immediate impact as he forced a good save out of Carroll, allowing Towey to fire the rebound into the roof of the net to record his second treble of the season.

McShane’s introduction for the superb, but injured Neil Harvey ended up proving to be a decisive moment in the game which began to swing back in the hosts’ favour following the forced tactical change.

REMYCA replied minutes later. Quirk was again involved as he curled a delicious ball towards the back-post, allowing Alex Ryan to turn home his second goal of the night.

15 minutes from time, REMYCA found an equaliser. Widnes were left kicking themselves as they failed to clear their lines, allowing substitute James McGrane to sweep in and slot the ball beneath Kris Leigh making it 4-4 on the night.

The twists and turns didn’t stop there however as Widnes went back in front three minutes later. James McShane’s corner eventually made its way to Kev Pollard at the back-post, who drifted away from his man to turn the ball home at the near-post as Widnes regained a slight lead.

The game’s tenth goal came eight minutes from time as REMYCA equalised for the second time. McGrane was superb off the bench for the hosts and again provided the assist as his cross was dummied by Quirk allowing Tom Foley to arrive at the back-post and find the net with a neat finish.

REMYCA missed a good chance for a winner shortly afterwards. McGrane beat Fielding in a foot race before advancing on goal. Unfortunately for the REMYCA man, his touch was poor and the ball ran away from him with Leigh making a good stop once McGrane pulled the trigger.

Litherland eventually recorded their sixth and what turned out to be the winner two minutes from time. McGrane again got the better of Fielding before picking out fellow substitute Ewan McKevitt in the 6-yard area who cushioned the ball home to make it 6-5.

Widnes came inches away from making it 6-6 inside stoppage time. A dipping volley from defender Tom Mitchell missed the target by the smallest of margins as the ball flew just over the bar as the hosts hung on for the victory.

Fulltime: Litherland REMYCA 6-5 Widnes

Widnes now have a couple of days to digest this result and prepare for Saturday’s home game against Chadderton in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase.

Widnes: Kris Leigh, Jack Graham, Joe Fielding, Kev Pollard (C), Mike Burke, Tom Mitchell, Kev Towey, James McShane (Luke J Edwards 79), Neil Harvey (Jason McShane 63), Danny Laverty, Luke Edwards (Dale Korie-Butler 74).

Subs not used: Dale Davies, George Lomax.