REPORT: Barnoldswick Town 6-1 Widnes

Widnes FC’s 16-game unbeaten run in the Hallmark Security League came to a sudden end as Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey’s men fell to a heavy 6-1 defeat away at Barnoldswick Town.

Goals from Ben Gorman, Andrew Hill, James Crorken, Zack Dale and a brace from Aaron Hollindrake secured victory for the hosts, who led 4-0 at half-time.

Michael Grogan’s 61st minute strike for Widnes proved to be little more than a consolation as the visitors, who hadn’t lost away in the league since early September, suffered their heaviest league defeat in over two years.

In difficult conditions, Barnoldswick started well and never looked back.

Dale was the first to threaten, racing clear of the Widnes backline in the opening exchanges but he could only fire into the side-netting, while Richie Mottram had to be alert to the deny the lively Barlick winger moments later.

The hosts took a deserved lead midway through the opening half as Gorman turned home after Mottram could only parry a Harry Thompson effort.

It was 2-0 two minutes later, with Hill netting a goal of the season, catching Dale’s cross on the volley that left Widnes custodian Mottram with no chance.

Widnes struggled to launch attacks throughout the first period and found themselves 3-0 down after just 34 minutes.

Skipper Crorken picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area, netting a well-taken curling effort before Hollindrake walked-in a fourth eight minutes before the break, capitalising on a Mottram error.

The visitors were stunned, suffering a double blow as both George Lomax and Jay Roberts limped off at half-time with knocks, with Ben Hodkinson and Jack Banister introduced from the bench.

Hodkinson thought he had made an instant impact as he found the net in the second half’s opening minute, only to be flagged offside.

It was a rare attack for Widnes, whose afternoon went from bad to worse as Barlick swiftly added a fifth, as Dale twisted and turned on the edge of the area before sweeping home his 17th goal of the season.

Hodkinson came off the bench with a point to prove, and Barlick struggled to cope with the former Bootle’s man pace, as he crashed the crossbar with a powerful effort.

Widnes were showing signs of life, and they pulled a goal back following the hour-mark as Grogan rounded off a well-worked move to net his second goal of the season.

The visitors’ revival was a false dawn, as Hollindrake added his second and Barlick’s sixth almost immediately, netting from close-range.