REPORT: Widnes 3-0 Burscough

Goals from Chad Whyte, Kev Pollard and Kev Towey sealed a third consecutive league victory for Widnes who comfortable dispatched Burscough in a 3-0 triumph on Monday night.

Whyte nodded home the opener from close-range before skipper Pollard netted the pick of the bunch, hitting a volley into the top corner from the edge of the area. Towey’s second goal of the season 14 minutes from time secured all three points for Joey Dunn’s men.

Dunn made three changes to the side that beat Squires Gate on Friday night. Whyte was given the nod alongside Towey ahead of Andy Gillespie who dropped to the bench whilst captained Pollard recovered from illness to replace Tom Mitchell who was named amongst the substitutes. Elsewhere, Luke Edwards came in for the injured Sam Sheen.

Widnes controlled proceedings early on but it was Burscough who registered the game’s effort on goal as Adam Gilchrist sliced his snapshot wide, failing to trouble home custodian Richie Mottram.

The hosts made the breakthrough with 15 minutes on the clock as Chris Lomax managed to create space for himself down the left, gliding forward into space. He produced a fine cross towards the near-post, met by Chad Whyte who shook off his marker to nod home beyond Linnets ‘keeper Louis McCarthy.

Despite seeing little of the ball, Burscough continued to threaten offensively. Prince Ekpolo dispossessed Towey and surged forward into space before spreading play wide to Gilchrist who couldn’t produce a serviceable cross back into area.

The lively Ekpolo made another telling contribution minutes later with his cutback being superbly cut out by Widnes defender Mike Burke, who made a terrific intervention to prevent John Cheetham from burying a simple finish.

Widnes doubled their lead on the half-hour mark. Burscough could only half-clear a Widnes corner with an aerial ball sitting up nicely for skipper Pollard, who hit a stunning volley into the top corner from the edge of the area with McCarthy well beaten.

Dunn’s side enjoyed a positive spell towards the end of the half but couldn’t make their dominance count. Towey nodded wide from inside the area before ‘keeper McCarthy had to be aware to push Alex Davies’ stinging drive away to safety. From the resulting corner, Sean Myler volleyed over.

Halftime: Widnes 2-0 Burscough

Burscough started the second half well but lacked a cutting edge to test Mottram in the Widnes goal. Gilchrist looked certain to pull a goal back from close-range, only to be denied by the outstretched leg of defender Davies, before Joseph Stanley fired over for Linnets after good work by Ekpolo.

Chances were rare in the second half, but Burscough were once again left to rue their offensive inefficiencies as Derek Szanto was left unmarked at the back-post from a deep corner, only to volley wide of the target.

Widnes wrapped things up 14 minutes from time. Jack Graham won possession back inside his own-half and went on a lung-busting, 60-yard run forward. Substitute Gillespie cleverly drew defenders away from Graham who evaded challenges before sliding the ball into the feet of Towey who applied a smart finish that nestled in the back of the net.

Fulltime: Widnes 3-0 Burscough

Widnes now face a two-week break from competitive action before hosting local rivals City of Liverpool on Monday 2nd October at the Halton Stadium.