Widnes bridge gap to the top as Town suffer first defeat of season in Halton derby
RUNCORN TOWN 1 WIDNES 2 GOALS from Billy Webb and Kev Towey secured Widnes FC a famous victory on Wednesday night, running out 2-1 winners over Runcorn Town in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division’s first ever Halton Derby.
Webb gave Widnes the lead on the 10-minute mark as he turned home from close range. Sebastian Julien equalised for Town after the break before Towey secured three points for Widnes 12 minutes from time.
Widnes’ victory brought an end to Runcorn’s unbeaten start to the league season, with Chris Herbert’s side losing their first league contest in 16 games.
Joint managers Steve Akrigg and Towey made five changes to the side beaten at home by Squires Gate last time out. The ● unavailability of River Humphreys and Dylan Sweeney meant that debutant Michael Grogan and Joe Fielding came into the back four, with Sam Sheen, Billy Webb and Chris Lomax coming in for Jack Graham, Brad Smart and Alex Davies.
Eager to put Friday’s disappointment behind them, Widnes started well and took the game to the league leaders. Sheen had his side’s first sight of goal, driving a shot at goal that was saved by Town goalkeeper Terry McCormick, who smothered the ball at the second attempt.
Minutes later, Widnes took an early lead. Towey was involved as his clever reverse pass released Lomax into the area who found Webb at the back post with his cutback. The striker peeled away from ● his marker to turn the ball home into an empty net to open the scoring against his former side.
Widnes should have grabbed an almost immediate second. Jack Banister used his pace to latch on to Towey’s throughball, advancing on goal with a menacing run only to roll his game. You’ve got to be balanced in your view of what your expectations are otherwise your mind will just go crazy. You’ve just got to play.”
And Towey believes his trustworthy backroom team are invaluable help as himself and Akrigg look to build on the foundations of last season’s promotion success.
It’s gone reasonably well so far, with just two defeats in their first 10 games in charge up to last Wednesday, when they inflicted Runcorn Town’s first loss of the season on them, 2-1 at Pavilions, with Towey scoring the winner.
Consistency remains an issue, however, as they followed up with a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Charnock Richard last Saturday, leaving them in seventh place in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division.
They were then close to defeat in Monday’s Macron Cup second round tie at home to First Division Carlisle City before drawing 1-1 and taking the game to penalties, which Widnes won 3-1 – with Towey again netting in the s shootout.
But progressing in the league is the immediate aim for Towey as he takes his side into a “make or break” period o of the season.
“Luckily we have a g good team around us,” h he said.
“Andy Burgess, Paul Jo Jones and Gaz Hartley, th the goalkeeping coach, have been at the club si since the beginning of la last year who we trust an and they can manage th things. That’s the best th thing for us – we have pe people who we can tr trust.”
“We’re getting to the st stage now where if you pu put a little run together yo you put yourself in a po position to finish in the to top six, which is our aim aim.
“Or, if you don’t start to win games, you end up a mediocre midtab table side who don’t ha have anything to play for for.
“We have some im important games which wi will make or break our sea season, really.” effort narrowly wide of the far post.
Runcorn rarely threatened in the first half but they enjoyed a period of sustained pressure late in the period, and as they began the second half in search of an equaliser, there was a growing feeling that it was coming.
Michael Carberry floated a corner towards the back post, with Julien rising highest to direct a bullet of a header into the back of the net beyond Richie Mottram.
It was a momentary lapse of concentration for Widnes, who had been superb up until that point. While many would have expected Widnes to succumb to the prowess of Runcorn’s attack, the visitors didn’t let Town’s equaliser affect them as Akrigg and Towey’s side took the game to their local rivals.
A big chance came 20 minutes from time. Towey made a terrific run to evade the offside trap and get on the end of Jay Roberts’ through ball. He cut inside and managed to effortlessly drive past two defenders only to fire a tame effort straight at McCormick.
Widnes’ joint boss was afforded another chance to get himself on the scoresheet eight minutes later, and he duly obliged.
The former Runcorn Linnets man once again came back to silence the blue half of Runcorn, latching on to Mottram’s missile of a goal kick forward before advancing into the area. Towey then pulled off a magnificent turn away from Daniel Jarrett, slotting into the far corner before wheeling away to celebrate with the travelling Widnes faithful.