Widnes kicked off the New Year in style, beating Kendal Town 4-0 at the DCBL Stadium to move five points clear of the relegation play-off place with three games in-hand.

Anointed Chukwu netted a hat-trick as the Whites recorded only their third league win of the season and first since September, with Rhain Hellawell grabbing another in a comfortable win over the struggling Mintcakes.

With joint-manager Kev Towey on holiday, Steve Akrigg took sole charge and made five changes to the side beaten at Clitheroe on Boxing Day. Jay Roberts and Ben Hodkinson were also unavailable, Aidan Stone’s loan from Mansfield Town has expired while Danny Ventre was only fit enough for a place on the bench.

Hellawell and Chukwu both earned recalls, while Tom Scott made his debut in goal after signing from Ramsbottom United last month. Elsewhere, Eoin Ashton made his second start of his loan spell from Championship side West Brom, while Sam Adetiloye made his home debut after signing on loan from Salford City.

There was also a place on the bench for defender Louis Coyne, who completed a move from North West Counties side Rylands in time to make the squad.

The Whites made a perfect start. Debutant keeper Scott kick-started a flowing Widnes move that also involved Fisnik Hajdari and James Murray. The latter worked the ball wide to Shaun Holden who delivered a delicious cross that was met by a thumping Chukwu header to open the scoring after two minutes.

Chukwu was on the scoresheet again nine minutes later in bizarre fashion. The Kendal defence stopped believing the Salford City loanee to be offside as he received a Mike Burke pass to feet. However, he was played onside by Jackson Hulme, allowing Chukwu to easily finish beyond the helpless Morgan Bacon.

James Steele went close to a third midway through the half when his driven effort was beaten away by Bacon, but Widnes soon extended their lead on the stroke of half-time.

There was an element of good fortune as Michael Hodgson made a mess of Holden’s deep cross, allowing Hellawell to emphatically turn home for his fourth goal of the season.

Kendal grew into the contest as a half drew to a close and should have pulled a goal back through Emil Jasskelainen, but the son of former Bolton Wanderers keeper Jussi hooked a shot over from all of two yards from an Aaron Fleming cross when it was perhaps easier to score.

Widnes offered a reminder of their threat early in the second half, with Chukwu again proving to be his side’s main focal point.

The 19-year-old picked the ball up 25 yards from goal, held off an initial challenge before bursting into the area only to see his effort crash back against the foot of the post.

Chukwu was soon afforded another opportunity to complete his hat-trick 18 minutes from time as he was dragged down in the area by Kieran Maguire, winning a penalty.

The imposing striker dusted himself down and fired his spot-kick into the corner to add his third – and his team’s fourth – of the afternoon, becoming the first Widnes player to net a hat-trick since Ben Hodkinson against the same opposition in December 2018.

Widnes could have added the icing on the cake with two late chances as Murray pulled an effort wide while Chukwu was denied a fourth by a strong Bacon glove, but the Whites grabbed a long-awaited win in their first game of the New Year.