Rapid start sets tone for another Wids win
SILSDEN ...................................................... 1 WIDNES FC ................................................ 4
WIDNES FC continued to close the gap on the playoff positions in the Hallmark Security League First Division with a comfortable 4-1 win at Silsden on Saturday.
Manager Joey Dunn made four changes to the side that beat Carlisle City last time out. Owen Wheeler and striker Billy Webb made their debuts, replacing the recently-departed Richie Mottram and Ross McDowell, who dropped to the bench.
Sam Sheen returned from a lengthy period on the sidelines, coming for the unavailable Adam Weston whilst Chris Lomax was preferred to Jamie Harkness as the winger returned from suspension.
It was Lomax who made an instant impact, putting Widnes ahead inside the opening minute.
Debutant Webb was the instigator, forcing Silsden goalkeeper Callum Jakovlevs into an error after racing 30 yards from his goal to clear the loose ball that fell to Lomax, who superbly curled his effort into the empty net.
Widnes couldn’t have asked for a better start but Silsden recovered well and eased into the half as it went on.
Widnes survived a let-off midway through the period. Nicholas McNally evaded the offside trap but would have been disappointed that he failed to test goalkeeper Wheeler at least, directing his shot harmlessly into the side-netting.
Following the opener, the first half was a largely drab affair that needed a moment to spark it into life.
It was a second Widnes goal that provided that spark.
Luke J Edwards found Kev Towey with a superb pass over the top of the Silsden backline from just inside of his own half. Towey still had plenty to do, but took the ball in his stride and rifled in a powerful low shot inside Jakovlevs’s near post.
Widnes came close to adding a third goal seconds before the interval. ●
Lomax played a well-weighted freekick towards the back-post which was met by a towering Steve Akrigg header, but Jakovlevs was on-hand to make an excellent save with Akrigg lifting his rebound over the bar.
Silsden made a rejuvenated start to the second half, testing Widnes goalkeeper Wheeler early on.
Christopher Wademan forced a tremendous triple save out of Wheeler on the edge of the area, with Leon Smith drilling the follow-up over the bar.
Two minutes later, Silsden pulled a goal back. Kyle Hancock drilled a freekick beneath a Widnes wall, nestling in the back of the net beyond the outstretched Wheeler.
Widnes spurned a glorious opportunity to restore their two-goal cushion straight from the restart.
Towey engineered space for himself and rolled the ball to the feet of Danny Hand, who could only drag his shot wide of the post from just inside the area.
Despite surviving Widnes’s latest attack, Silsden were buoyed following their goal and began to mount a period of sustained pressure.
Luke Taylor was allowed to cut inside far too easily but could only shoot straight into the gloves of Wheeler.
Widnes held firm and increased their lead on the 70 minute mark.
Webb forced a solid save out of Jakovlevs. Towey then picked up the loose ball in the area and squared it to Edwards who diverted it into the the net.
Widnes’ third goal of the afternoon all but killed off the threat of Silsden and a fourth four minutes from time sealed the victory.
Lomax went on a bursting run forward, playing a neat one-two with Webb before putting the return ball on a plate for the debuting striker, who calmly slotted home.
Widnes latest victory is their third consecutive league win, stretching their excellent unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions.
Next up for Widnes is a double-header at the Select Security Stadium.
Boss Dunn’s side host AFC Blackpool on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), before welcoming Southport in the quarter-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup on Monday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).