First Team
Matches
Sat 16 Oct 2021  ·  Northern Premier League - West
Widnes Football Club
First Team
J McGrath (72')
1
2
Leek Town
D Trickett-Smith (15'), T Grice (80')
REPORT | Widnes 1-2 Leek Town

REPORT | Widnes 1-2 Leek Town

Callum Chadwick19 Oct 2021 - 19:39
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Widnes edged out by Leek

Widnes fell to a first defeat in five as Tim Grice’s late winner ensured that Leek Town took all three points back to Staffordshire.

Dan Trickett-Smith’s first half opener for the visitors was the first goal Widnes had conceded for over 500 minutes, and in truth, a series of impressive Owen Wheeler saves kept the Whites in the contest in the opening period.

Dave Dempsey’s side rallied and stayed in the game, eventually grabbing an equaliser through the in-form John McGrath 18 minutes from time.

But they were only on level terms for just eight minutes when Grice scored what proved to be the winner, turning home from close-range.

Fisnik Hajdari missed out through illness as Dempsey made one change to the side that beat Prescot Cables last time out.

Liam Kennington was given the nod in midfield, while new signings Eric Yahaya and Alex McMillan were named amongst the substitutes.

Leek made the better start but Widnes had the first real sight of goal when James Steele cleverly released McGrath in behind, but keeper Dan Roberts was out quickly to make a decent save.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of territory and possession in the early exchanges, and their positive in-roads was rewarded with the game’s opening goal after 15 minutes.

Trickett-Smith ghosted into the area unmarked and he netted his sixth goal of the season, sweeping the ball home first time into the bottom left-hand corner.

Leek continued to threaten and Wheeler was called into action twice in the space of five minutes to deny Grice – who had scored five of Town’s seven goals in their recent win in the FA Trophy at Market Drayton Town.

Widnes would have to be patient and thought that they had equalised on the stroke of the half-hour mark, but River Humphreys was flagged offside as he smashed home a rebound from close-range.

Trickett-Smith, a player Liverpool paid £300k for in 2012, was Leek’s most dangerous threat and he picked the pocket of Widnes skipper Mike Burke to work an opening but his shot was tame and easily saved by Wheeler.

Grice would then fire wide while Wheeler would again be tested late in the half, saving well from Jack Wakefield.

Manager Dempsey had seen enough in the first half and made changes during the half-time interval.

An injury suffered late in the first half by Humphreys led to the introduction of debutant McMillan while striker Yahaya was brought on in place of Kennington ahead of the restart to give Widnes a bit more presence up front.

The changes stifled Leek while Widnes started to show more of a threat but the hosts never really troubled keeper Roberts.

Neil Baker’s visitors still carried a threat, with Wheeler producing a strong glove to deny Grice while Trickett-Smith struck the foot of the post just after the hour-mark.

Widnes to their credit worked hard off the ball and took their chance when it came, even if their equaliser came with a huge slice of luck.

McGrath was fouled almost 30 yards from goal and dusted himself down to hit a free-kick that took a massive deflection off the wall, completely wrong-footed Roberts and looped into the corner.

The goal was a measure of McGrath’s confidence to take the shot on – his fifth goal in six games since arriving from Lower Breck.

Widnes would then enjoy their best spell but were pegged back with 10 minutes remaining.

Substitute Rob Stevenson rode a couple of challenges and held off the presence of skipper Burke to tee up Grice to turn home, restore Leek’s advantage and ultimately seal victory.

Match details

Match date

Sat 16 Oct 2021

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

156

Competition

Northern Premier League - West

League position

6
Leek Town
16
Widnes
Team overview
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