REPORT | Brighouse Town 0-2 Widnes

Widnes continued their upturn in form following the turn of the year with a 2-0 win at Brighouse Town.

James Murray’s ninth minute opener and a stoppage time Jamie Rainford penalty ensured that the Whites travelled back across the Pennines with all three points – their third win in six.

Remarkably, Widnes have now kept four clean sheets in 2020 already and are close to matching their total of five in the entirety of 2019.

A debut was handed to Kingsley Williams following his arrival from Radcliffe as he replaced George Webster who dropped to the bench in Widnes’ only change. Elsewhere, Rainford returned to take up a position amongst the substitutes after Rhain Hellawell’s departure was confirmed.

Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey’s side started well and it was the latter – starting a second successive fixture – who threatened in the early exchanges. Ryan Jennings drove forward and teed up the Widnes co-boss to strike off target with his weaker left-foot.

Jennings was involved again moments later as Widnes were awarded a sixth minute penalty, with the former Buxton winger drawing a foul from Brighouse skipper Kurt Harris.

Towey stepped up only to be denied by the outstretched glove of Matt Smith but fortunately for Widnes, Murray reacted quickest to pounce on the rebound and notch the visitors in front.

It should have been 2-0 midway through the first half. Jennings was again at the forefront of the Widnes attack as he found space in the area to find James Steele on the cutback, but somehow Smith recovered to make a good save as a gilt-edged opportunity went begging.

A lengthy stoppage due to Brighouse’s Tom Haigh suffering a broken hand led to a prolonged period of added time at the end of the first half, with Smith producing a superb save to prevent Jay Roberts’ doubling Widnes’ advantage at the interval.

The second half was evenly matched with both sides pushing for the game’s crucial second goal, but it was Widnes who seemed the more likely as Shaun Holden agonisingly nodded into the side-netting from close-range.

Rainford had a shot blocked late on after he was introduced from the bench, but Widnes would make sure of the points inside second half stoppage time.

Fisnik Hajdari was bundled over in the area leaving referee Wayne Cooper with no choice but to award a second penalty of the afternoon which was smashed home by Rainford, who netted his first Widnes goal since returning to the club from Mossley.