Widnes welcomed in the new NPL West season with a convincing 3-0 home win over Kidsgrove Athletic.

On loan forward Liam Paton opened the scoring 25 minutes into a first half dominated by the Whites, applying a neat finish from inside the area.

Kidsgrove introduced imposing veteran Matt Rhead at half time which posed a different threat but the visitors rarely threatened Widnes keeper Mark Halstead who enjoyed a quite afternoon.

It took until the 77th minute for the Whites to grab a crucial second goal when substitute Sharif Deans headed home with a Sean Miller penalty just three minutes later adding some gloss to an impressive opening day outing.

Manager Michael Ellison handed league debuts to Halstead, Jack Walls, Ben Rydel and Paton on the day who all played their part in a resounding victory.

Kidsgrove had to deal with a tide of black and white with Widnes, playing at a fierce pace under the WA8 sun, pouring numbers forward.

James Steele perhaps should have done better with an early chance inside the game’s opening two minutes, snatching high and wide with his weaker left-foot.

And then from the resulting goal-kick, the Whites won possession back and Miller was inches away from finding the top corner with a wonderful effort, narrowly missing the target with Grove keeper Kieran Harrison stranded.

The Whites’ pace dipped as the temperature rose inside the DCBL Stadium but the stingy home defence, marshalled by centre-halves Niall Battersby and Louis Isherwood, didn’t give the visitors an inch.

Widnes were rewarded for their fine start with the game’s opening goal shortly after the midpoint of the half.

Steele’s first time pass was clever, releasing centre-forward Jack McGowan into space down the right-hand side.

McGowan delayed and eventually picked out Paton with a cutback and the youngster did the rest, dropping his shoulder to open up space for a shot that found the roof of the net.

Anthony Malbon’s visitors had to wait 33 minutes for their first sight of goal and Jimmy Garlick’s flicked effort was comfortable for Halstead.

The Kidsgrove manager had clearly seen enough when he made two attacking half time substitutions in the form of Rhead and wide man Keiran Lazenby.

Rhead offered something different with a strong aerial prowess but other than lifting the visitors with increased purpose and energy, they failed to create any clear-cut opportunities.

Widnes, while comfortable, didn’t threaten as much in the second half as the first but the second goal was deserved when it came.

Steele was again highly influential in the build-up, turning in midfield and fizzing a pass wide to Matty Rain.

Rain’s cross was delicious and perfectly flighted for Deans, off the bench, to head home despite the best efforts of the sprawling Harrison.

Widnes were awarded a penalty almost directly from the resulting kick-off when Steele tangled with Lazenby in the area.

And Miller made no mistake from 12 yards to complete the scoring, hammering his spot-kick into the top left-hand corner.