Kev Towey scored his 31st and 32nd goals of the season as Widnes FC extended their unbeaten run in the league to 10 games with a 5-0 win over FC Oswestry Town.

Towey struck twice in the first-half including his ninth penalty of the season on the stroke of half-time, before Chris Lomax, Luke J Edwards and Billy Webb completed the scoring with second half strikes.

Widnes manager Joey Dunn made two changes to the side that were held to a 2-2 draw with Stockport Town on Saturday. With Mike Burke unavailable, Sam Sheen was handed a recall whilst George Lomax came in for Danny Brady who dropped to the bench.

The hosts came close to an opener in the opening minutes. Chris Lomax and Towey exchanged passes allowing Jack Graham to burst forward from the flank. He did well to surge into the area but his effort on goal was tame and comfortably saved by Richard Cowderoy.

Graham was lively in the early exchanges and turned provider on this occasion for striker Towey, who could only force a solid save out of Oswestry ‘keeper Cowderoy.

Widnes took the lead midway through the first-half. Graham was again involved, with George Lomax heading his cross on to Kev Towey, who latched on to the loose ball before rounding Cowderoy and slotting home into an empty net.

Cowderoy was busy throughout the first-half and was called into action on two further occasions as the game approached half-time. Intricate, passing football from Widnes worked possession down the channel as George Lomax cleverly threaded a pass wide to Billy Webb, whose shot on goal was beaten away by the Oswestry ‘keeper.

Minutes later, Chris Lomax came close to a getting his name on the scoresheet. He audaciously attempted to lob Cowderoy but the Oswestry shot-stopper produced a superb save to fingertip Lomax’s effort away from goal.

Widnes were awarded a penalty inside first-half stoppage time. Billy Webb was brought down inside the area by an Oliver Jones challenge despite running away from goal. Kev Towey stepped up, and smashed his spot-kick into the top corner.

Halftime: Widnes 2-0 FC Oswestry Town

After controlling large parts of the first half, Widnes dominated proceedings in the second period.

They came close to extending their lead early in the half. Cowderoy again produced a good save to prevent Towey from sealing his hat-trick, before Luke J Edwards’ follow-up shot was charged down just inside the area.

Widnes pushed once more minutes later as Graham released George Lomax with a well-weighted pass. However, Lomax was perhaps guilty of taking one too many touches, allowing Alun Morris to make a good recovery challenge.

Moments later, Widnes extended their lead. The Lomax brothers combined as George Lomax’s clever reverse pass opened up space for Chris Lomax who applied a delicate finish to life the ball over the on-rushing Cowderoy and into the back of the net.

The Whites weren’t done there and added a fourth 18 minutes from time. Luke J Edwards capitalised on a defensive error and neatly slotted home to continue his goalscoring run, netting his fourth goal in his last six appearances.

Clear-cut chances were rare for Oswestry in the second half but Owen Wheeler was called into action late on. Substitute Luke Jones was left unmarked in the area but Widnes ‘keeper Wheeler got down well to make an excellent save.

Inside second half stoppage time, Widnes added a fifth to complete the scoring. After seeing a few chances go begging earlier in the game, Billy Webb got his name on the scoresheet, ghosting in to hammer a shot into the roof of the net from close-range.

Fulltime: Widnes 5-0 FC Oswestry Town

Widnes’ latest win moves them to within four points of a playoff spot. Joey Dunn’s side remain seventh in the First Division table, four points behind sixth-placed Sandbach United with two games in-hand.

Next up for Widnes is a home game against Bacup Borough. Due to the limited availability of the Select Security Stadium, the fixture will be played at Barnton’s Hinchcliffe Holmes Stadium.