REPORT: Runcorn Town 1-2 Widnes

Goals from Billy Webb and Kev Towey secured Widnes FC a famous victory on Wednesday night, running out 2-1 winners over Runcorn Town in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division’s first-ever Halton Derby.

Webb gave Widnes the lead on the 10-minute mark as he turned home from close-range. Sebastian Julien equalised for Town after the break before Towey secured three points for Widnes 12 minutes from time.

Widnes’ victory brought an end to Runcorn’s unbeaten start to the league season, with Chris Herbert’s side losing their first league contest in 16 games.

Joint managers Steve Akrigg and Towey made five changes to the side beaten at home by Squires Gate last time out. The unavailability of River Humphreys and Dylan Sweeney meant that debutant Michael Grogan and Joe Fielding came into the back four, with Sam Sheen, Billy Webb and Chris Lomax coming in for Jack Graham, Brad Smart and Alex Davies.

Eager to put Friday’s disappointment behind them, Widnes started well and took the game to the league leaders. Sheen had his side’s first sight of goal, driving a shot at goal that was saved by Town goalkeeper Terry McCormick, who smothered the ball at the second attempt.

Minutes later, Widnes took an early lead. Towey was involved as his clever reverse pass released Lomax into the area who found Webb at the back-post with his cutback. The striker peeled away from his marker to turn the ball home into an empty net to open the scoring against his former side.

Widnes should have grabbed an almost immediate second. Jack Banister used his pace to latch on to Towey’s through-ball, advancing on goal with a menacing run only to roll his effort narrowly wide of the far-post.

Banister began to enjoy freedom down the left-flank up against Runcorn’s Josh Maguire. He held off the challenge of Paul McManus before racing past the Town right-back, but Towey could only direct Banister’s cross straight into the gloves of the grateful McCormick.

Skipper Kev Pollard then forced a save out of McCormick with a glancing header from a Lomax free-kick, before Sheen hit a free-kick of his own high and wide of the target.

Runcorn rarely threatened in the first half but they enjoyed a period sustained pressure late in the period, putting Widnes under the cosh as the referee blew for the half-time interval.

Halftime: Runcorn Town 0-1 Widnes

Runcorn began the second half in search of an equaliser. Widnes struggled to clear their lines camped in their own area as Town pressed, with Maguire’s snapshot striking the foot of the post before rolling harmlessly away from goal.

Herbert’s side grew into the ascendancy and midfielder Tom Crawford should have done better from close-range, directing a free header wide of the target from close range.

There was a growing feeling that an equaliser was coming, and Town levelled the scoreline from the resulting corner. Michael Carberry’s floated a magnificent delivery towards the back-post, with Julien rising highest to direct a bullet of a header into the back of the net beyond Richie Mottram.

It was a momentary lapse of concentration for Widnes, who had been superb up until that point. While many would have expected Widnes to succumb to the prowess of Runcorn’s attack, the visitors didn’t let Town’s equaliser affect them as Akrigg and Towey’s side took the game to their local rivals.

Lomax had a pop from outside the area, but his effort was always climbing as it sailed high and wide of the upright, before McCormick had to produce a good save to deny Towey after good work by Banister in the build-up.

A big chance came 20 minutes from time. Towey made a terrific run to evade the offside trap and get on the end of Jay Roberts’ through ball. He cut inside and managed to effortlessly drive past two defenders only to fire a tame effort straight at McCormick.

Widnes’ joint boss was afforded another chance to get himself on the scoresheet eight minutes later, and he duly obliged.

The former Runcorn Linnets man once again came back to silence the blue half of Runcorn, latching on to Mottram’s missile of goal kick forward before advancing into the area. Towey then pulled off a magnificent turn away from Daniel Jarrett, slotting into the far corner before wheeling away to celebrate with the travelling Widnes faithful.

Staring defeat in the face, Town pressed for an equaliser but struggled to cope with Widnes’ pace on the break as the visitors twice spurned glorious opportunities to put the contest beyond all doubt.

Substitute Smart looked certain to score after collecting Banister’s cross but the move broke down as the Widnes man hesitated in front of goal after being caught in two minds.

Ben Hodkinson then threatened moments later, but he could only slice wide of the target.

Despite late inefficiencies in front of goal, Widnes held on for a deserved three points.

Fulltime: Runcorn Town 1-2 Widnes

Widnes now begin a run of three games in 10 days, starting with Saturday’s visit of Charnock Richard. The game at the Select Security Stadium kicks off at 3pm.