Match Preview

The third meeting between local rivals Widnes FC and St Helens Town takes place this Saturday as Steve Hill’s side welcome the visiting Saints to the Select Security Stadium in a North West Counties Football League First Division clash.

Widnes will come into the game buoyed by a narrow 2-1 defeat to a promotion chasing Irlam side two weeks ago after Saturday’s scheduled fixture away at Atherton LR was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. After heading into the break 2-0 down, Hill’s side threw the kitchen sink at the visitors, with Luke Edwards scoring one penalty before missing another spot-kick 10 minutes later. Tunde Owolabi was also denied a certain equaliser by a tremendous save from Irlam’s Lee White as Irlam held on for all three points.

A week earlier, Widnes won their first game in four with a comfortable 2-1 victory over Daisy Hill.

Their opponents, St Helens Town, come into the game in an inconsistent run of form. Nick Matthews’ side have lost two of their last three games following a 3-game winning streak to begin 2016 with away victories over Northwich Manchester Villa, Eccleshall and Cheadle Town. Last time out, Town were beaten 2-1 away at Hanley Town despite an opener from former Widnes man Ellis Mavers.

The two sides have played out two thrilling encounters in the only meetings between the clubs in history.

In October 2014, the two sides met in the Second Round of the Men United Cup. St Helens lead 4-1 at the break courtesy of a Chad Whyte brace and further strikes from Kristian Bell and Jamil Saleh.

An own goal reduced the deficit before the break, before the 10-men of Widnes launched a second-half comeback. Sean Bowden-Davies, Jamil Campbell-Joseph and a last minute equaliser from Alex Davies forced the game into extra time and eventually penalties which Widnes went on to edge 4-3.

This season’s reverse fixture saw Saints edge a 6-goal thriller in October. Jack Golding gave the hosts the lead in the 10th minute before Alex Davies and Luke Edwards found the net either side of the break to give Steve Hill’s side a 2-1 lead which they held until the 75th minute when Johan Du Toit levelled things up. Town captain Andy Gillespie eventually settled things, as he netted an 89th minute winner.

Team News

Ronnie McCarthy is available for selection for Widnes after serving a 4-game ban for receiving two red cards earlier this season for violent conduct. Fellow midfielder Tom Hackett is also available to return after serving a solitary match ban for seeing red for two bookable offences in last month’s away defeat at Holker Old Boys.

Alex Davies is the only confirmed absentee for Widnes, as he continues to play for Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division side Marine on a dual-registration deal.

Ellis Mavers is likely to appear for the visitors against his former club, having played for Widnes throughout pre-season before being named as an unused substitute in a number of league fixtures early in the season. Mavers made his only appearance in a Widnes shirt in September’s 3-2 away win over Northwich Manchester Villa.

Two of the league’s top goalscorers face-off in this game as Saints’ Andy Gillespie and Widnes’ Luke Edwards look to add to their impressive tallies. Gillespie has 19 goals to his name this season whilst Edwards has netted 13 times for Widnes in his debut campaign for the club.

This Saturday’s fixture will kick-off at the earlier time of 2pm, after the game was brought forward at the request of the Select Security Stadium to ensure a quick turnaround ahead of a Liverpool Ladies fixture which follows the conclusion of the game.