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POST MATCH | Towey reflects on FA Cup exit at Northwich Victoria

POST MATCH | Towey reflects on FA Cup exit at Northwich Victoria

Callum Chadwick15 Aug 2018 - 22:30
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Co-boss shares his post-match thoughts following Widnes' FA Cup defeat at Northwich Victoria

Co-boss Kev Towey admitted that his Widnes side "weren't good enough" as the Whites exited the Emirates FA Cup preliminary round away at Northwich Victoria after extra time.

John Connolly's goal in the first half of extra time condemned Widnes to an early exit in the FA Cup for the second successive year.

Speaking after the game, Towey accepted that Widnes didn't do enough to progress in the competition.

"Over the two games, I don't think that we worth it. The best side won," Towey said.

"Although it's not nice to swallow, you've got be humble in defeat - certainly when you haven't done enough over the two games."

Towey was particularly disappointed by his side's performance on the night, pinpointing Widnes' inability to win second balls.

He said, "Vics are quite an effective side in how quickly they get the ball forward. We allowed the ball to bounce and their centre-forwards to be a nuisance to set the play from there.

"I've said to the lads that we weren't streetwise tonight. We got sucked into playing long-ball, which isn't our game.

"I could understand that style of play on Saturday when the pitch was a difficult one to play on, but there's no excuse for it out there tonight.

"There's no excuse for not getting the ball down and playing the way we did for the entirety of last season that was so successful."

Widnes' league season gets underway on Saturday with the visit of Radcliffe, and Towey admits that his side's performance has left him and joint manager Steve Akrigg a lot to think about moving forward.

"Tonight's not been ideal to be honest, but what it does do is give me and Ste a blank sheet," Towey said.

"I don't think any player can knock on our door should they not start on Saturday. I don't think lads can argue that they've not been given a chance either.

"We made a tactical change from Saturday and changed our shape which forced Chris Lomax to drop out but other than that, we just shot ourselves in the foot too many times in the second half onwards.

"Every game at this level will be tough at this level. Radcliffe are no exception. They'll come in a similar sort of vain to Northwich and take the game to us, looking to play when they can.

"They'll make it very difficult for us. Although we've got our expectations in what we want to achieve, we won't underestimate the task in front of us."

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