REPORT: Widnes 0-1 Squires Gate

Squires Gate’s Ryan Charnley nodded home a 90th minute winner to condemn Widnes FC to their third home league defeat of the season by virtue of a 1-0 loss on Friday night.

Despite seeing plenty of possession and creating a number of chances, Widnes struggled to penetrate a resilient backline and find a way past in-form Gate goalkeeper Benjamin Fletcher.

It was a smash and grab winner from Charnley as Gate continued their impressive run of form with a fourth consecutive win and a fifth in their last six games.

Widnes bosses Akrigg and Towey made one change to the side that beat Bootle last time out. River Humphreys made his second debut for the Club, replacing the suspended Sam Sheen. Meanwhile, new signing Ben Hodkinson was named amongst the substitutes alongside Chris Lomax who had returned from a brief stint at Marine on a dual registration deal.

The hosts made a positive start with Jack Banister eager to continue his flying start to life in a Widnes shirt, but he could only fire straight into the gloves of Fletcher after cutting inside on to his stronger right foot.

Fletcher had to be alert on the 16-minute mark to get down well and beat a Jack Graham drive away to safety before Banister volleyed over after Dylan Sweeney’s cross was only half-cleared.

Gate’s first chance came from the right boot of Andrew Richards’ who volleyed across the face of goal after Mark Buchan played a free-kick quickly.

Tarren Moxon should have done better for Gate on the half-hour mark, cutting inside only to hit a tame effort straight at Richie Mottram.

Widnes continued to push for a opener but were denied twice by Fletcher. Brad Smart persisted with his driving run into the area only to see his shot denied by the Gate keeper’s legs before Kev Pollard’s glancing header from a Graham free-kick was comfortably saved.

Halftime: Widnes 0-0 Squires Gate

Gate continued to soak up Widnes pressure early in the second half but the hosts couldn’t find a way through. Dylan Sweeney latched on to Banister’s reverse pass only to be denied by Fletcher with Towey blazing over on the rebound.

The visitors were reliant on the shot-stopper who produced a terrific save to tip Smart’s free-kick over the bar.
Despite Widnes controlling the game, Gate still carried a threat with Gary Pett’s drive whistling narrowly wide of the post with Mottram beaten.

Fletcher was again called into action on the hour-mark as Alex Davies combined with Smart who’s stinging drive looked destined for the net only for the Gate ‘keeper to claw the ball away with a superb save.

Smart carried a consistent threat for Widnes, going close again 20 minutes from time. He exchanged neat passes with substitute Lomax before shooting wide of the post.

Substitute Lomax had Widnes’ best chance to snatch three points late on, but Fletcher was once again on-hand to produce a terrific save to keep his side level. Graham’s clever through-ball allowed the winger to roll his man and advance into the area, only to see his seemingly goalbound effort pushed away to safety.

Inside second half stoppage time, Gate produced a smash and grab raid to win it. The visitors launched a counter-attack after Billy Webb’s shot was saved, with the run of Moxon drawing Mike Burke and Graham out of the picture, giving Daniel Gray time and space to send a cross towards the back-post where Dan Charnley rose highest to guide the simplest of headers home to win it for Gate.

Fulltime: Widnes 0-1 Squires Gate

Widnes will look to bounce back at the earliest opportunity in a Halton Derby against unbeaten league leaders Runcorn Town on Wednesday night. The game at Pavillions kicks off at 7.45pm.