Match Preview

Widnes FC are preparing for the biggest game in the club’s history as The Whites prepare to welcome Everton to the Select Security Stadium in the quarter-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup.

It is the second consecutive year that Widnes have reached this stage of the competition, Steve Hill’s side are looking to go one step further than last season as eventual winners Skelmersdale United edged Hill’s side 1-0 in the last eight a year ago after Widnes pulled off a stunning cup upset in the First Round, beating Prescot Cables on penalties.

Reaching the semi-finals will be no easy feat, especially against a tough Everton side. The Toffees are no longer required to field a first-team side in the competition, with the away side likely to consist mostly of development squad players under the age of 21. David Unsworth is currently manager of Everton’s U21 side. Unsworth returned to Everton as U21 coach in 2013, nine years after leaving the club as a player. In two spells at Everton, Unsworth made 304 appearances, scoring 34 goals and he was also a part of the 1995 FA Cup winning side.

Widnes come into the game in relatively poor form. Not including Saturday’s game at Daisy Hill, The Whites have lost 5 of their last 6 games, having failed to win since their 6-1 thrashing of Stockport Town in early October. To reach this stage of the competition, Widnes comfortably beat Ashton Town 3-0 last month in the First Round.

Everton are the most successful club in the history of the Liverpool Senior Cup, lifting the trophy on 45 separate occasions, with their last success coming in 2007. They received a bye to the quarter-final stage.

Team News

Widnes manager Hill has a fully fit squad to choose from for the visit of Everton. Jamie Casson, captain Tom Mitchell and Jamil Campbell-Joseph all served suspensions in Saturday’s game at Daisy Hill.

Goalkeeper Ben Morrow and defenders Jordan Stanley and George McGrogan should also be available for selection after being unavailable for the trip to Daisy Hill.

Tom Hackett is the only definite absentee for Widnes, having suffered a setback in his recovery from an ankle injury. Hackett hasn’t played since Widnes 3-2 win at Northwich Manchester Villa on 12th September.

Everton are likely to field a side consisting almost entirely of U21 and academy players. No senior players are expected to be named in the visitors’ squad due to the First-Team’s League Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

Prominent players who could feature for Everton are Kieran Dowell and Gethin Jones, who both featured for the First-Team last season in the Europa League. Jonjoe Kenny spent a month on loan at Wigan Athletic earlier this season, making 7 appearances whilst Academy prospect Tom Davies trained with England prior to national side’s European qualifiers in October.

Manager’s Thoughts

Widnes manager Steve Hill is looking forward to Monday night’s occasion. “We’d like to go as far as we possibly can in the Senior Cup. The chances of that are not that good, given the fact we’re playing Everton but we’re looking forward to it.

“It’s our biggest game since the club was formed. We need to conduct ourselves in the right way, enjoy the experience and do our best.”