Widnes FC cruised to their eighth victory in their last 10 games in all competitions with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Atherton LR at the Select Security Stadium.

George Lomax put Widnes ahead before Kev Towey’s superb long-range effort doubled Widnes’ advantage heading into the break. Five minutes into the second half, Karl Ledsham completed the scoring for the hosts.

Widnes manager Joey Dunn made two changes to the side that were held to a goalless draw by City of Liverpool last time out. Skipper Kev Pollard and Adam Weston came in for Luke J Edwards and Tom Mitchell who both dropped to the bench.

Widnes came close to an opener in the early exchanges. Ledsham hounded Ishmail Suliman into an error. He found Towey with his cutback but LR ‘keeper Louis Murray was on-hand to make a good save.

George Lomax spurned a glorious opportunity to put his side ahead as he raced clear, latching onto a great pass from Adam Weston. However, Lomax’s first touch was poor, allowing Atherton skipper Keith Clarkson to make up lost ground and make a vital challenge.

LR relied on the counter-attack to cause Widnes problems. David Moore cleverly turned away from Steve Akrigg but could only muster a wild effort on goal that went over the bar.

On the half-hour, Widnes took the lead. The visitors could only half-clear a Chris Lomax corner to Kev Pollard, but the skipper couldn’t quite get his shot away. This allowed George Lomax to swoop in and poke the loose ball home for the opener.

Moore proved to be the dangerman for the visitors and again threatened as he got the better of Mike Burke before firing past the post with his shot.

Widnes should have doubled their lead 10 minutes before halftime. George Lomax robbed Clarkson of possession before advancing into the area. He put the ball on a plate for Kev Towey who missed the target from close-range when it was far easier to score.

Four minutes later, Widnes doubled their lead. The hosts quickly turned defence to attack as Burke released Jack Graham who went on a bursting run forward before laying the ball off to Towey, who atoned for his sitter a few minutes earlier with a fine strike from 25 yards that found its way into the top corner via the post.

It should have been 3-0 in added time at the end of the first half. Towey and Ledsham both saw shots saved by Murray, leading to a goalmouth scramble that was cleared by LR before Widnes could capitalise.

Halftime: Widnes 2-0 Atherton LR

With the spectators having barely taken their seats for the second half, LR came close to pulling a goal back.

David Moore’s daisy-cutter of a free-kick sat up nicely in the area for Lewis Welch in the 6-yard area, who perhaps should have done better with a half volley that sailed over the bar.

Widnes added a third five minutes into the second half. George Lomax raced clear down the right flank before delivering an inch-perfect cross into the area that was turned home by Karl Ledsham, who netted his second goal for the Club with a tidy finish.

The hosts spurned a good chance to further increase their lead six minutes later. Ledsham won possession back for Widnes before filtering a neat pass through to George Lomax, who could only shoot wide of the upright.

Widnes took their foot of the gas in the second half with a victory all-but secured. Ledsham wasn’t too far away from a second later in the half, hitting a fierce drive over the bar after a clever flick-on by Towey.

Ross McDowell was introduced 13 minutes from time for Widnes and was inches away from netting his first Widnes goal inside second half stoppage time. Substitute Luke J Edwards played a brilliant through-ball to the former Runcorn Linnets striker, who could only direct his shot on to the post with ‘keeper Murray well-beaten.

Fulltime: Widnes 3-0 Atherton LR

It was a convincing win in the end for Widnes, who now sit two points off the play-off spots in 6th after stretching their unbeaten league run to five games without defeat.

Next up for Widnes is another home game against Silsden at the Select Security Stadium on Saturday 17th December, before rounding-off 2016 with a trip to AFC Blackpool on New Years’ Eve.