Widnes are history-makers as they make progress in the FA Vase

Maltby Main 0 Widnes FC 2 WIDNES FC made history last Saturday afternoon as they ran out 2-0 winners at Rotherhambased outfit Maltby Main to record their first-ever FA Vase victory.

The visitors started slowly and Maltby came close to netting inside the opening minute. A loose ball dropped to Matthew Somley in the area, but goalkeeper Kristofer Leigh was on-hand to save the shot with his feet.

Three minutes later, Somley rolled the ball into the feet of strike partner Josh Schofield whose effort was tame and comfortably gathered by Leigh.

Widnes then settled into the game and played some good football. Darrhyl Mason headed wide from inside the area. He then linked up with Josh Kavanagh before threading a ball through to Jason McShane. His cutback then found the feet of Kev Towey who could not quite muster a shot on goal.

Maltby ply in their trade in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, the equivalent to one league above Widnes.

Andy they continued to look dangerous offensively as Schofield attempted to capitalise on miscommunication between Mike Burke and Kev Pollard, but could only shoot over.

The pace of the game dropped in the second period. Widnes had a sniff at goal in the quiet early stages, with Towey cutting inside but seeing his shot saved well by keeper Danny Rusling.

The deadlock was finally snapped on 77 minutes.

Kavanagh’s throw-in was worked into the penalty area by Widnes before Jason McShane hammered home from close-range.

Despite Maltby’s search for a leveller, Widnes caught the hosts on the counterattack and added a second.

Widnes cleared a Maltby corner with Danny Laverty picking up the loose ball.

He immediately released Towey with the through ball, who raced onto the pass, rounded the on-rushing Rusling before finding the far corner with a tidy finish to secure Widnes’s progression.

Widnes will host Chadderton in the second qualifying round of the competition on September 24.