Whites upset odds to topple league leaders
WIDNES upset the odds with an incredibly impressive 1-0 away win at table-topping Workington.
John McGrath’s sensational free-kick on 25 minutes, just moments after Dan Wordsworth was sent off for kicking out at Fisnik Hajdari, was enough to lift the Whites to a victory that few would have predicted.
By claiming all three points, Widnes handed Workington just a second home defeat of the season and a first loss in 13 – a run stretching back to October – while Cameron Terry’s clean sheet was the first shutout for an away side at Borough Park in a league fixture since November 2019.
Terry was among two changes to the Widnes side that bested Prescot Cables last time out.
The former Nantwich Town shot-stopper came in for Owen Wheeler, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury while Sam Turner replaced the absent Luke Wall.
It seemed an unenviable task on paper for Widnes as they made the three-hour-plus journey to Borough Park to face Chris Willcock’s Reds who had won nine of their previous 10 in all competitions.
● Widnes boss Dave Dempsey
But Dave Dempsey’s team travelled in buoyant mood and in good form of their own and would have backed themselves against a Workington side who hadn’t had a piece of competitive action in three weeks.
The 1,117 spectators were expectant but Workington were evidently short of match practice and sharpness, particularly in the first half.
Passes were wayward and loose and while strong winds whirled in Cumbria, even the shortest of square balls were sloppy.
It was an even start and a well-drilled Widnes side clearly grew in confidence as the half went on.
Reuben Jerome forced Terry into a save after 21 minutes as he found half a yard to meet Kyle Harrison’s delivery, but it was little more than a routine stop.
The game’s major talking by Sam Adetiloye. point came two minutes later, Workington had to adjust to leaving referee Chris Porter the increasingly strong winds with a decision to make. in the second half, and they
Hajdari slid in late and per- didn’t particularly threaten haps overzealously on Words- until midway through the half. worth – a challenge that was Skipper Mike Burke produced ruled fair by the referee – but a superb recovery challenge the Workington man angrily to deny Conor Gaul, kicked out, and Porter was in a while Terry made a superb stop great position to view the to push a goalbound header infraction. away to safety from the resulting
The referee didn’t hesitate to corner. brandish his red card, reducing Burke was the most relieved the hosts to 10-men and presenting man in Cumbria five minutes Widnes with a fine later when he slid in on Brad opportunity. Carroll in the penalty area, and
And credit to the visitors, while the majority of the spectators who took full advantage. in the ground waited in
McGrath stepped up and anticipation for a spot-kick to beautifully lifted his set-piece be awarded, referee Porter over the wall towards goal waved away home appeals. where it nestled in the top corner The Widnes captain maintained leaving Jim Atkinson with his innocence, claiming no chance, sending the travelling to have won the ball. Widnes supporters into In truth, Workington never delirium. really came much closer to an
The Reds responded with a equaliser while Widnes were switch to a 3-4-2 formation but unfortunate not to increase Terry’s goal was untroubled for their advantage. the remainder of the half. Goalkeeper Atkinson was in
Widnes came close to a second fine form for the home side, on the stroke of half-time, and he twice had to react but Atkinson was equal to quickly to tip two Ste Rigby Lloyd Dean’s prodded effort at wind-assisted corners that goal. were threatening to drop
Boss Dempsey would have beneath the crossbar over. given a “more of the same” He also made a terrific save message at the interval but the to push a clever Dean flick visitors suffered a blow when away from goal minutes later McGrath limped off just five as Widnes enjoyed a succession minutes after the restart, with of corners.
Ryan Jennings introduced Workington threw the from the bench. kitchen sink at the visitors late
They had already lost key figure on but they weren’t helped by Jordan Barrow on the halfhour the wind and Widnes held on mark, who was replaced for a very impressive victory.