REPORT: Widnes 0-1 Abbey Hey

Widnes FC slipped to their first defeat under joint managers Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey on as Abbey Hey earned a narrow 1-0 win at the Halton Stadium.

The hosts fell behind to an Adam Farrand strike on the 13-minute mark which proved to be the game’s only goal as an out-of-sorts Widnes fell to their first defeat in seven.

Widnes suffered a pre-match blow as duo Jay Roberts and skipper Kev Pollard failed late fitness tests, meaning that they were amongst three changes made from Saturday’s dramatic 3-3 draw at Padiham.

Alex Davies and Tom Mitchell replaced Roberts and Pollard with Towey coming in for Billy Webb elsewhere.

Eager to put the deflating conclusion to Saturday’s contest behind them, Widnes started slowly as goalkeeper Richie Mottram was shown a yellow card in the opening minutes for fouling Ashford Blake outside of his area after the Abbey Hey man raced on to an incisive through-ball.

Widnes struggled to find a rhythm and they were punished as Abbey Hey broke the deadlock. Sam Freakes floated a cross into the area which was met by a glancing Farrand header that was directed into the far corner via the post to give the visitors the lead.

The hosts looked for an immediate reply but Sam Sheen could only fire over from the edge of the area.

Widnes grew into the game and ended the half strongly. Jack Banister went on a probing run forward and combined with Jack Graham who quickly released Sean Myler into the area but his shot towards goal was blocked by Adam Hampshire.

Halftime: Widnes 0-1 Abbey Hey

Things might have got worse for Widnes shortly before the hour-mark as a visitors’ corner fell to Lee Wilshaw at the back-post who swept a shot at goal but Davies was well positioned on the goal-line to avert the danger.

Winger Banister had arguably Widnes’ best chance of the game seven minutes later as a great first touch engineered space for a shot that stung the gloves of Ross Heywood who gathered the loose ball at the second attempt.

Widnes began to enjoy a spell of sustained pressure but goalkeeper Mottram was called into action 20 minutes from time to keep his side in the contest, racing from his goal to push Jonathan Hardy’s effort away to safety.
With the hosts struggling to find a way through a packed Abbey Hey defence, Widnes looked to the bench and introduced Webb and Tony Donaldson in an attempt to muster an equaliser. The result was Widnes’ best spell of the game.

Myler volleyed over from outside the area after good work by Towey in the build-up before Sheen hooked a shot over from a Myler corner minutes later.

Widnes then had a penalty shot turned down as Towey was bundled over in the area as he looked to latch on to a Davies cross but the referee was unimpressed and he waved play on.

Abbey Hey had keeper Heywood to thank for preserving their lead late on as a magnificent Towey turn opened up space for a shot for the joint boss but the Abbey shot-stopper stuck out a glove to make the save.

With Chad Whyte brought on late on, Widnes pushed to no avail as the substitute could only head narrowly wide from a Banister cross.

Widnes’ misery was compounded late on as Akrigg and Towey’s side were reduced to 10-men late on. Sheen reacted angrily to a harsh foul given against him and let the linesman know how he felt, which led to the Widnes man being shown a second yellow card leading to his dismissal.

Fulltime: Widnes 0-1 Abbey Hey

Next up for Widnes is another home game as the busy autumn period continues for the Whites, with Bootle visiting the Halton Stadium on Saturday.