Vikings journey begins with a falter!

The Select Security Stadium has previously in its own history hosted semi-professional football with Runcorn playing here a number of years ago, however the stadium has never hosted a team from Widnes playing at semi-professional level before. Another first on a day of re-writing the history books for Vikings FC.

Having home advantage in front of a good crowd of 127 the Vikings FC got off to a very promising start, sustained pressure on the Cheadle goal eventually paid off as a mistake from the visiting goalkeeper allowed Luke Forsyth to pounce and slot the ball into the back of the net after only 8 mins into the game. The perfect start for the Vikings with Luke being credited as scoring the clubs very first goal at this level, something we are all sure that he won’t forget.

After the opening goal the lads seemed to get into the rhythm of the game, creating a number of chances and testing the more experienced visitors time after time. Credit to Cheadle as the opening goal never seemed to phase them and they too were always still in with a shout of spoiling the day for the Home team by creating a number of chances with the Vikings keeper making a number of good saves.

Half Time: 1-0 Vikings FC

The second half couldn’t have got off to a worse start for the home team, with Cheadle straight on the attack the equaliser soon came which shocked the Vikings as they were not expecting that to happen at all. With the game at 1-1 you could feel a sense of nervousness creeping into the players and the usual slick passing, possession based football the Vikings fans are used to watching just didn’t seem to click.

Midway through the second it got worse as Cheadle took the lead for the first time in the game and with another silly error from the home side it was capitalised to full effect making the score 2-1 in favour of the visitors.

The Vikings FC did begin to take the game to the visitors again, creating a number of good chances and on another day could easily have been scored. Cheadle did well to handle the pressure and with the game opening up it was end to end in spells with both sides managing to hit the bar and post.

Heading into the final 10mins of the game it was all but sealed as an away win for Cheadle. A shot from just outside the box from the visiting striker looked like a comfortable save for the home goalkeeper, not to be on this occasion. Just as everyone thought the save was made the ball came out under his foot and on attempt to re-gather the ball it found its way over the line to make the score line 3-1 to the visitors.

Full Time: Vikings FC 1-3 Cheadle Town

Match overview:
With everyone at the club looking forward to the start of the season and beginning life at a higher level, it wasn’t to be the perfect start for the Vikings FC as the visitors came out on top. On reflection of the game it was a good awakening for all the players as a reminder that errors will certainly be punished at this level, concentration is key for the full 90mins. The Vikings played some very good football in spells and did not look out of depth at this level of football. As the season progresses I am sure the players will build momentum and surprise a few teams as confidence grows over time.

With a quick turnaround the Vikings are back in action on Tuesday evening with another Home game against Ashton Town, 7.45pm kick off at the Select Security Stadium. Come and support the Vikings FC