Point is made after success in the cup
CHARNOCK RICHARD 1 WIDNES FC 4 IDNES FC will face local rivals City of Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Reusch First Division Cup after making a statement of intent with an excellente 4-1 quarter-final victory overo Charnock Richard at Mossie ParkP on Saturday afternoon.
Widnes boss Joey Dunn made four changes to the side that beat Winsford United last Monday night. Mike Burke, Kev Towey and Jack Graham all dropped to the bench and were replaced by Daniel Hand, Ross McDowell and debutant Karl Ledsham whilst skipper Kev Pollard returned to replace Steve Akrigg who was rested. Meanwhile, midfielder Steven Wilson was named amongst the substitutes following his move from AFC Fylde.
Widnes started slowly and were perhaps fortunate not to have conceded two goals in the opening 10 m minutes.
Oliver Evans evaded the offside t trap before forcing a decent save out of Richie Mottram inside the first 60 seconds, before Carl Grimshaw fluffed his lines minutes later, as Mottram comfortably gathered his tame effort.
Widnes grew into the game and began to move the ball around quickly. Chris Lomax and Karl Ledsham exchanged neat passes with Lomax driving a shot wide before Ledsham threatened shortly afterwards, scuffing an effort wide of the upright from distance.
The visitors began to control the game and deserved their opener on the half-hour mark.
After a Widnes corner was cleared, Luke J Edwards hooked the ball back into the area with defender Tom Mitchell on hand to control and fire a shot on goal that took a heavy deflection before nestling in the net.
Widnes were not too far away from a second goal just before the interval.
Joe Fielding received a pass from Adam Weston on the far side before driving down the channel, with his dangerous cross being diverted just w wide by the late arriving Ledsham.
The second half was end-to-end as
W● the hosts searched for an equaliser whilst Widnes looked for that elusive second goal that would provide them with a bit of a cushion.
Mottram was called into action as he comfortably saved a Grimshaw free-kick before his opposite number Adam Halton made a decent save to deny Ross McDowell after quick feet from the Widnes forward created space for the shot.
The hosts did level midway through the period. Widnes failed to clear a corner that evaded the crowd of bodies gathered around the sixyard area, making its way through to Charnock skipper Joshua Norgate at the back post, who drilled a shot into the far corner.
However, the scoreline was only level briefly as Widnes restored their lead three minutes later.
Chris Lomax made the extra effort to keep the ball in play, with his cutback finding brother George at the back post, who was in acres of space to tap home.
Widnes could have wrapped things up 11 minutes from time. Debutant Ledsham saw a goalbound effort blocked on the line by defender Luke Gibson, before turning the rebound wide of the far-post.
With time not on their side, Charnock switched to a 3-5-2 system in order to find an equaliser. However, Widnes were unyielding, holding firm defensively as the hosts began to launch the proverbial kitchen sink.
Charnock’s attacked in numbers late on, which left Andy Westwell’s side susceptible defensively. Widnes capitalised on this and wrapped up the result with an incisive breakaway. The ball was quickly worked wide to George Lomax who raced clear down the channel. A superb delivery from the striker picked out the unmarked Ledsham, who kept his nerve to finish neatly past Halton to mark his impressive debut performance with a goal.
Widnes added the icing on the cake inside second half stoppagetime with their fourth goal.
George Lomax again got free down the flank and used his pace to engineer space for a cross that was turned home inside the six-yard area by Chris Lomax with a composed finish.
The semi-final tie with City of Liverpool will be contested over two legs, with the first game being played at the Select Security Stadium in the New Year. WIDNES FC CITY OF LIVERPOOL FC A VALIANT second half performance was enough for Widnes to earn a point at home to City of Liverpool on Monday night as the two sides played out a goalless draw.
City of Liverpool controlled the majority of a frustrating first half for Widnes, who were dealt a blow late in the opening period as George Lomax was sent-off for appearing to kick out at City player Barry Moore.
The early exchanges were even and well contested. John Connolly was given far too much time to fire over for the visitors, before Widnes defender Steve Akrigg forced a decent save out of Bartosz Kowalczyk with a close-range header.
The biggest talking point of the first half came seconds before the break as Widnes were reduced to 10 men. George Lomax attempted to play the ball with an outstretched foot that caught the ankle of Moore. However, the referee deemed Lomax to have kicked out and gave the Widnes man his marching orders.
City of Liverpool had a penalty shout turned down in the opening minute of the second half as Aaron Rey tangled with Tom Mitchell in the area. The referee thought about it, but waved away the protests.
Regardless of being down to 10-men, Widnes dictated play without the ball and spurned a good chance to take the lead on the stroke of the hour-mark.
Jack Graham did well to engineer space for a dangerous cross that Kev Towey couldn’t divert goalwards.
Widnes went even closer five minutes later and were denied by the woodwork. Mitchell’s throw-in allowed Towey to brilliantly turn away from his man before smashing a wicked volley against the bar.
As time ticked down, Towey also struck an upright with a powerful drive with Widnes looking the more likely team to break the deadlock.
In the end, though, both teams had to settle for a point apiece.