REPORT | Widnes 3-1 Prescot Cables

Jamie Rainford netted a first-half hat-trick as Widnes comfortably dispatched Prescot Cables in an enthralling local derby at the DCBL Stadium.

The Whites virtually wrapped up the points with a scintillating display in the opening 45 minutes as Widnes put their neighbours to the sword and never relinquished control of this local derby.

There was defensive work to do in the second half, but it never looked likely that Prescot would fight back from three down and despite Michael Monaghan’s stoppage time consolation, Widnes recorded their first home win since New Year’s Day.

Club captain Mike Burke returned at the heart of the Widnes defence amongst four changes to the side that were held to a draw by Ossett United last time out.

Burke came in for Steven Hoy who dropped to the bench while Cameron Terry was preferred to Richie Mottram in goal. Elsewhere, co-boss Kev Towey replaced James Murray and Jack Banister made his first start since returning to the club with James Steele ruled out through illness.

Prescot initially started well as Jordan Southworth cut inside to fire over in the very early stages, but that was the visitors’ only real sight of a goal in the first half as Widnes seemed to get to grips with what Cables could offer with former Whites man Josh Klein-Davies leading the line.

Widnes turned pressure into an opener with just 10 minutes on the clock. Fisnik Hajdari ignored urges to shoot after a cross was only half-cleared and he found Banister on the right.

He eased past Reece McNally with dazzlingly quick feet and picked out Rainford with a delicious cross who directed a bullet header beyond Ollie Taylor.

For most of the rest of the first half it was one-way traffic. A 1-0 lead turned in to a 3-0 lead by the break and the game was just about done as a contest. Ex-Widnes favourite Sean Myler cut an increasingly frustrated figure in the middle for Cables and he eventually landed himself in the book for an accumulation of fouls.

It was 2-0 14 minutes later. Ryan Jennings harassed Matthew Hamilton into an error and quickly released Rainford. He raced in behind and took the shot on early, perhaps catching Taylor by surprise as the ball rocketed into the top corner as Widnes doubled their advantage.

Widnes have largely struggled at home this season but this was a performance reminiscent of their promotion-winning season from the North West Counties League in 2018. Cables couldn’t cope with the Whites’ play on the flanks with wingers Jennings and Banister combining effortlessly with Shaun Holden and Jay Roberts respectively, while Hajdari and Kingsley Williams dictated play from central midfield.

Banister had a penalty shout turned down while Holden dragged an effort across the face of goal and wide as Widnes pushed for a third goal to kill off any threat of a Prescot fightback.

The third goal arrived on the stroke of half-time. It was a superb team effort started by keeper Terry who quickly rolled the ball out to Alex McQuade. He found Hajdari who showed tremendous desire to link up with Jennings despite being fouled, and Widnes were encouraged by referee Matthew Young’s well-played advantage.

Jennings sold James McCulloch a dummy as Holden latched on to his clever pass and squared his cross for Rainford, who applied the easiest of tap-ins to complete his hat-trick.

Cables made a change at the break as right back Valter Fernandes was withdrawn with a bruised ego having struggled mightily against Jennings, with Rodrigo Schmitdinger introduced in his place.

But it could have been even worse for Cables, but skipper McCulloch did well to block a seemingly goalbound Rainford header after Banister again delivered a terrific cross from the right.

In truth, the second half fizzled out as a contest as Widnes eased through the gears while Cables struggled to test keeper Terry between the sticks for the hosts as both Hamilton and McNally fired well off target.

Terry was enjoying a quiet afternoon, but he was eventually called into action, making a smart stop to deny Schmitdinger before making a good diving save to his right to deny substitute Daniel Atkins.

Rainford could have, and probably should have added a fourth 12 minutes from time. The ever-energetic Roberts burst forward from right-back as he latched on to a Williams pass. He provided a delivery that was seemingly on a plate, but Widnes’ hat-trick hero fired over from close-range.

Monaghan went close for Cables as he nodded on to the crossbar from a corner, before Widnes substitute Danny Ventre – yet to score for the club in almost 50 appearances – directed a diving header into the gloves of Taylor.

Prescot mustered a consolation strike inside second-half stoppage time. A pass deflected off the boot of Hajdari and sat up nicely for Klein-Davies to find space in behind and his cutback was turned home by Monaghan.

It was the only blemish on an almost-perfect afternoon for Widnes who now sit three points behind their neighbours with a game in-hand.