Widnes maintain promotion surge
BACUP BOROUGH ........................ 0 WIDNES FC ................................... 1
WIDNES FC overcame the second-half dismissal of Alex Davies to beat Bacup Borough at the Brian Boys West View Stadium last Thursday evening and maintain their excellent league form.
Chad Whyte netted the game’s only goal after 18 minutes, heading home from close-range after Steve Akrigg helped on a Chris Lomax corner.
Winger Davies was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Bacup’s Nathan Emery 10 minutes from time.
Despite a period of Bacup pressure, Widnes defended well and routinely dealt with the hosts’ threat as Joey Dunn’s men held on for all three points. ● Steve Akrigg – pictured in action against City of Liverpool FC – netted twice for Widnes FC as they thrashed St Helens Town 8-0 last Saturday.
The hosts took the lead midway through the opening period. Kev Towey brought the ball down before releasing George Lomax who got to the ball ahead of defender Andrew Webster to slot beneath keeper Adam Fairchild.
Lomax doubled his account and Widnes’s lead 15 minutes later. The striker forced Adam Donohue into an error as a relatively simple header went astray. Lomax intercepted the loose ball and finished smartly.
He completed his hat-trick two minutes before half-time. Lomax latched on to a through-ball over the top and lifted the ball over Fairchild before applying a simple finish into an empty net.
Seven minutes into the second half, Widnes increased their lead. Towey was again involved as he squared it to Chris Lomax. The substitute had time to set himself before finding the top corner with a sublime shot.
Defender Steve Akrigg got in on the goalscoring act on 72 minutes. Chris Lomax swung a deep corner into the area where the former Southport defender was on-hand to head in his first Widnes goal.
After waiting 20 games for his first goal for the club, Akrigg was at the double as he bagged his second 10 minutes from time. Lomax again produced a deep corner with Akrigg rose above his marker to direct a header home.
Striker Chad Whyte was introduced against his former club for Widnes and he was involved in his side’s seventh goal.
He won the ball back on the far side before bursting forward and into the area. He cut inside and effortlessly went past three defenders before unselfishly rolling the ball into the feet of Edwards who hammered home.
Less than two minutes later, it was 8-0 as Whyte got himself on the scoresheet. Chris Lomax burst down the left before swing- KINGSWAY Boxing Club’s Cameron Lewis had his recent fine run of victories ended when he was beaten at the semi-final stage of the rearranged National Junior ABA Championships, held at Grantham Meres Leisure Centre in Lincolnshire.
The reigning Merseyside and Cheshire ABA Junior 70kg champion dropped a split decision in a close, if scrappy contest against the more experienced Eastern Counties ABA champion Obee Eastwood of Rumbles Boxing Academy.
The first round of the contest saw Eastwood keeping the centre of the ring, utilising his slightly superior height and reach to good effect in not allowing Lewis to get into his usual fast rhythm. This was a tactic that saw him take the round, however the second round saw Lewis start quicker and have more success in closing his opponent’s space down in the ring, resulting in him being able to land some good shots, notably to the body. ing a cross towards Whyte who hooked a shot at goal that nestled in the back of the net. A 68th minute winner from top scorer Kev Towey lifted Widnes FC into second in the Hallmark Security League First Division as they beat Silsden 1-0 at the Select Security Stadium on Tuesday.
The Whites knew that a victory against the Cobbydalers would see them climb into the automatic promotion places for the first time under Joey Dunn’s stewardship with five games left.
It looked likely as Widnes were awarded a penalty with less than a minute on the clock, but Towey’s spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Callum Jakovlevs.
With the game finely poised at 0-0, Towey redeemed for his penalty miss as he found what proved to be the winner. It came when Sam Sheen burst forward and bullied his way into the area.
He kept possession of the ball and rolled it into the feet of Towey, who held off the challenge of Josh Kaine before finding the bottom corner with a neat finish.