It’s all Whyte on night for Widnes
CAMMELL LAIRD 1907 ................................................. 1 WIDNES FC ..................................................................... 2 CHAD WHYTE netted twice as Widnes FC continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 against Cammell Laird 1907 last Thursday.
Manager Joey Dunn made seven changes from Tuesday’s win over the Widnes Cup representative side. In came Jack Cookson, Jay Roberts, Stephen Rigby, Mike Burke, Jack Graham, Chad Whyte and Anthony Beyga.
Widnes started well and had an early goal disallowed. A deep corner from Rigby was directed home by a towering Steve Akrigg header but the defender was penalised for a foul.
In truth, Widnes dominated the majority of the first half and controlled possession with Lairds failing to test goalkeeper Jack Cookson.
Widnes’s freedom down the right flank proved pivotal as Dunn’s side grabbed the opening goal. Colin Quirk was instrumental in the build-up as it was his clever pass that released Roberts and it was the right-back’s cutback that was turned home inside the six-yard area by Whyte.
Further chances followed as Quirk blazed a shot over the target before Lairds’ No1 Richie Cowderoy made a good save to deny Whyte.
The second half started slowly with Widnes spurning a good opportunity to double their advantage on the hour. Beyga displayed a great turn of pace to get in behind the Lairds defence before unselfishly squaring the ball to Whyte who could only shoot straight at Cowderoy.
Seven minutes later, Lairds were awarded a penalty as full-back Stephen Rigby was penalised for a foul. Ben Holmes confidently stepped up and stroked his spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Widnes were presented with a chance to quickly restore their lead as they were awarded a penalty of their own as Sam Sheen’s effort struck a hand in the area. Sheen took the penalty himself, but it was a poor effort from the Widnes man as he dragged his spot-kick wide.
Less than two minutes later, Widnes finally netted their second goal which was to win the game. Davies drove forward into space and threaded a pass through to Whyte who applied a composed finish into the bottom corner. ● WIDNES secured a comfortable 5-1 win at West Cheshire League outfit Maghull on Tuesday night.
Chad Whyte was again on the mark with a pair with the other Widnes goals coming via George Lomax, Kev Towey and an own goal.
Joey Dunn’s team complete their pre-season programme at Welsh Premier League outfit Cefn Druids on Saturday. The game kicks-off at 2.30pm. ●