Bloods test proves a negative for Widnes
● DROYLSDEN............................................... 2 WIDNES FC ................................................ 1
WIDNES FC were hard done by not to come away from the Butcher’s Arms Ground with anything to show for their efforts, as Droylsden came from behind to progress in the FA Trophy with a 2-1 extra-preliminary round victory on Saturday.
George Lomax had put Widnes ahead but a Michael Brewster penalty and a second half Phil Marsh strike ensured that the Bloods would meet Tadcaster Albion in the preliminary round later this month.
Widnes were boosted by the return of duo Jay Roberts and Danny Ventre from suspension, with the duo amongst five changes made by joint-managers Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey following the heavy 4-1 loss at Leek Town in midweek.
Phil Doran was available again to come into the back-four alongside coboss Akrigg, who came in for the injured Mike Burke while Lomax was given the nod up front ahead of Jamie Rainford.
Widnes started on the front foot with Droylsden having goalkeeper Christopher Thompson to thank for preserving his side’s clean sheet after four minutes, producing a superb diving save to keep out Doran’s powerful effort on goal.
Droylsden had a chance of their own moments later only for Clive Smith to smash an effort off target after Sean Miller had a shot blocked.
Widnes began to assert themselves with Chris Lomax turning home after a good Widnes move only to be flagged marginally offside before Thompson was again called into action to keep out George Lomax’s header.
Midway through the half, Widnes grabbed a deserved opener. Chris Lomax cleverly threaded a pass through to George Lomax who did the rest, finishing neatly beyond Thompson to net his first goal of the season.
Droylsden were forced into an early reshuffle with both Javan Vidal and Shaun Holden limping off injured, but the Bloods were afforded a route back into the game on the half-hour mark when Febian Brandy went down under the challenge of Akrigg in the area, winning a penalty for the hosts.
The foul was a soft one and Brewster took full advantage to fire his spot-kick into the roof of the net to equalise for his side.
Widnes maintained control of the game however, with Towey unable to get on the end of a delicious Lomax cross before Sean Myler went even closer, hitting the post from close-range after good work by Towey.
After the break, Widnes picked up where they left off with a period of sustained pressure, but they failed to trouble Thompson until the hour-mark when the Droylsden custodian produced another great save to tip Akrigg’s goal- bound header over the top.
His opposite number Richie Mottram was equally alert minutes later as Sefton Gonzales burst clear of the offside trap but the Widnes goalkeeper stood firm and made a good save.
Widnes’s high line was to get the better of them 10 minutes later as Gonzales again burst clear from an offside position, but the assistant referee’s flag stayed down.
Mottram made the initial save, but Marsh converted on the rebound to put the Bloods 2-1 up.
Lomax almost levelled 15 minutes from time as he flashed a shot across the face of goal but Widnes were ultimately left to rue missed chances as Droylsden secured their progression to the next round of the competition.