REPORT | Widnes 2-1 Trafford (FA Cup PR)

Widnes progressed through to the first round qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup with a 2-1 win over fellow NPL West side Trafford.

A Kris Holt rocket and an Eko Solomon own goal either side of half time was enough for the Whites to equal their best ever run in the competition despite a lacklustre performance at the DCBL Stadium.

Trafford were much the better side in the first half and came close to a seventh minute opener but Cameron Terry successfully parried Ally Brown’s back post header away to safety.

But it was Widnes who took the lead with a bolt from the blue midway through the half.

It was goal from nothing as Laurence Smith’s scuffed effort was trapped by Holt who promptly smashed a half volley into the top corner with visiting goalkeeper Brad Rose well-beaten.

The opener came against the run of play but what a way to score your first Widnes goal!

It really should have been 2-0 five minutes later but James Steele was unable to divert Matt Van Wyk’s knockdown towards goal from close-range.

Meanwhile, Trafford responded and Max Hazeldine really should have done better after he wriggled free to meet a deep free kick unmarked, but his header was wayward and off target.

Widnes again came close after the restart when Solomon mis-kicked a hopeful ball forward that presented Matty Rain with a glorious opportunity, but Rose was equal to the effort with a strong glove at his near post.

The visitors made a double change on the stroke of the hour-mark that initially had a positive effect with substitute Rob Worrall causing problems for Widnes whenever he dropped deep to pick up the ball.

Trafford were just starting to gain a little bit of ascendancy when disaster struck and they conceded a calamitous second goal.

Widnes were the grateful benefactors when Rain’s long ball forward caused miscommunication between Rose and Solomon, with the latter heading a backpass over his on-rushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net via the post.

The own goal put the Whites and although Trafford’s skipper Brown halved the deficit with a well-taken volley 18 minutes from time, Widnes held on to progress.