Wids’ fortunes mixed
WIDNES FC ................................................ 2 GLOSSOP NORTH END ............................ 0
WIDNES FC recorded their second home win of the season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Glossop North End at Townfield last Saturday afternoon.
After the previous Monday’s controversial defeat at home to Kidsgrove Athletic in which four Widnes players were sent off, the Whites bounced back in convincing fashion, with Michael Grogan and Jamie Rainford both finding the net either side of half-time.
It was a game that Widnes controlled almost exclusively, and a win that probably should have been more comprehensive. However, it was Glossop who had the first chance, as Tyrell McKenzie fired into the side-netting on 15 minutes.
Widnes were soon hitting their stride and were denied an almost-certain opener by a great finger-tip save by North End goalkeeper Russ Saunders. Great feet by Ben Cartwright engineered space for a cross that was met by a towering Chris Lomax header, but the Glossop custodian made the save.
Glossop skipper Matt Russell then fired an effort over as the visitors struggled to penetrate a solid Widnes defence and test goalkeeper Richie Mottram. The opener came on the half-hour. George Webster showed great desire to win a loose second ball and lift a wonderfully-weighted cross towards the back-post, where Grogan – one of the ● ( from left) four men red-carded in the Kidsgrove loss – was on-hand to nod beyond Saunders and into the far corner.
Widnes went in at the break with the lead and the initiative, picking up where they left off in the second half.
The Lomax brothers combined as Chris produced a delicious delivery towards the six-yard area with George awaiting, only for the younger sibling to head over the bar.
A second goal was coming, and it almost came on the hour-mark as the excellent Webster raced free down the left and squared for Chris Lomax who was denied by Saunders.
Widnes did not have to wait long for another opportunity, and this time it produced a second goal four minutes later.
It was a goal good enough to grace any game as Webster lifted a great pass over the back-four, helped on by a cushioned Chris Lomax cross with Rainford onhand to turn the ball home.
Grogan could have added his second and Widnes’s late in normal time, but the former Marine man was caught underneath substitute Kev Towey’s corner and could only head over. WITTON ALBION....................................... 2 WIDNES FC ................................................ 1 DALE KORIE-BUTLER netted his first goal in a Widnes shirt but it was not enough as the Whites exited The Integro Cup at the first round stage, beaten 2-1 at Witton Albion on Tuesday evening.
The hosts took a 21st minute lead against the run of play.
With their first real attack, Matthew Devine skipped inside unchallenged from the left, rounding goalkeeper Richie Mottram and coolly slotted the ball into an unguarded net.
Two minutes later, Witton added a second goal. Widnes lost possession cheaply in midfield and Albion worked the ball through to Will Jones who lifted a well-taken effort beyond Mottram and into the net.
Widnes flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half and halved the hosts’ advantage. Sam Sheen was superb in the build-up, driving forward to neatly release Korie-Butler in-behind who netted his first goal for the club.
A very wet playing surface led to the game petering out as a contest, although Widnes very nearly took the game to penalties late on, but Peter Doran was unable to pounce after Witton goalkeeper Greg Hall fumbled Sean Myler’s cross.