Double joy for Harvey on debut
Eccleshall 1 Widnes FC 3 A BRACE from debutant Neil Harvey and a late header from Jason McShane ensured that Widnes returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory at bottom club Eccleshall last Saturday afternoon.
Having signed from Runcorn Town earlier in the week, former Barbados international Harvey wasted little time in opening his account for his new club, netting the game’s first goal in the second minute before adding his second 10 minutes later.
Eccleshall rallied and pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time through Jonathon Hancock.
Despite a tight and somewhat nervy second half, Widnes wrapped things up as McShane headed home three minutes from time.
Widnes got off to a flyer and took a second minute lead.
Harvey waited all of 120 seconds for his first Widnes goal, seeing an initial effort saved by Eccleshall keeper Ben Chapman, before pouncing on the rebound to put the visitors ahead.
Widnes doubled their lead on 12 minutes. Jon Dawson and Jack Graham played a corner short allowing the latter to force a good save out of Chapman, who could only parry the ball into the path of Harvey, who turned the ball home.
Just before the interval Eccleshall pulled a goal back. Travis Johnson floated the ball into the area allowing Hancock to rise highest and find the net with his header.
From that point on, the match remained tight with half chances at both ends of the field as the hosts battled to rescue a point and Widnes made efforts to seal the victory.
Widnes eventually did bag a third goal three minutes from time to wrap up the points.
It was a well-worked goal from the visitors as Brandon Rigg linked-up with Jack Graham, who delivered an inch-perfect cross to the back-post where substitute Luke Edwards was on hand to head back across goal, allowing McShane to divert the ball home with a diving header. ● Widnes are next in action next Monday when they entertain Whitchurch Alport at the Select Security Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).