on Saturday, to record their second league win in as many games. The win moves the away side up to ninth in the table, the first time they’ve been in the top half of the table since August.
Widnes came into the game on a high, having beaten Eccleshall 6-0 away from home last time out. This game carried extra purpose for Steve Hill’s side, having gifted the home side a point when the two sides last met last month, which saw Widnes throw away a 2-0 lead in the final ten minutes.
Ashton came into the game in torrid form. Since the draw away to Widnes, the home side have lost their last four league games, a run that has saw them fall right down the table.
Widnes started the game brightly, causing early problems for Ashton. However, the home side took the lead totally against the run of play. Marcus Cusani’s initial shot was denied by David Nevitt, but the ball fell to Robert Paratore on the edge of the box, who rifled a shot into the top corner to give Ashton an early lead.
This goal didn’t seem to faze Widnes, as they continued to press and hold the majority of possession. Paul Cliff, who was making his debut to mark his third spell with the club, played a terrific cross field pass to Joel Douglas, who managed to get behind the back four. However, the forward should have done better with his end-product, as his shot was hit straight at the goalkeeper.
It wasn’t long before Widnes’ relentless pressure was rewarded with an equaliser. Paul Cliff was again involved, as he played a great, defence-splitting pass into the path of Douglas, who swept the ball home beyond Wimmer and into the back of the net. That goal was the forward’s first in 9 games.
Widnes went in front two minutes later to complete the quickfire double salvo. James Ludgate lifted a free-kick from the left towards the back post that was turned in at the back post by Jay Cooper, who bagged his second goal in consecutive games to complete the turnaround for the away side.
Ludgate was involved in Widnes’ next attack. He linked up well with Ben Tollitt who was bearing down on goal before he was caught in two minds when the decision was needed, and the ball rolled harmlessly into Wimmer’s hands.
Chances were rare for Ashton, and when they did come, they failed to test David Nevitt. Their next chance fell to Cusani, whose shot was driven across the face of the goal and out for a goal kick.
As the second half began, the pitch’s condition began to deteriorate rapidly. It was extremely cut up in the middle of the park. That said, it didn’t seem to affect either side, as Ashton exploded out of the blocks with an early chance. Stephen Milne delivered a cross that was headed over by Sean Robinson, who really should have scored.
Widnes’ relentless pressure of the first half continued into the second, as the ball fell to Daniel Garvey of all people on the edge of the box, who shot on goal was palmed away by Wimmer for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece, Widnes added their third. Ludgate rolled the corner out to Cliff on the edge of the box, who marked his 3rd debut for the club with a goal, as he stroked the ball beyond Wimmer, into the bottom corner from the edge of the box with a great finish.
Cliff had a second goal ruled out for offside shortly thereafter. Ben Tollitt hit a free-kick that was fumbled by Wimmer, into the path of Cliff who converted from point-blank range, only to be thwarted by the flag of the assistant referee.
Widnes were awarded a penalty twenty minutes from time when Dale McDonald handled a Paul Cliff cross in the area. Ben Tollitt stepped up, only to see his effort saved brilliantly by Wimmer who had had a fairly poor game up until that point.
The away side looked to ensure their victory with three substitutions in the closing stages. Graham Molloy came on for Gary Williams, Danny Burns replaced Daniel Garvey and Bradley Williams was introduced in favour of James Ludgate.
It was Williams who spurned a golden opportunity in the closing stages. Burns delivered a great cross that was headed over by the unmarked winger from the penalty spot. He really should have scored.
Ashton then had a player sent off. Scott Baker was dismissed for a second yellow card after a bad foul on Luke Colford, after receiving a yellow card for a bodycheck on the same player earlier in the half.
That incident then led to Widnes putting the game beyond all doubt. Bradley Williams was sent through on goal and the winger made no mistake, as he placed his shot into the bottom corner from ahead of the on-rushing Wimmer to bag his fourth goal of the season and to secure all three points for the away side.
Manager Steve Hill was pleased with his side’s performance. “We started off brightly, and then on their first attack, they scored a really good goal. But from then on, the lads were moving the ball around well and because it was early doors, we grew into the game and some of the finishing was really good today.” He went on to add, “It was a sticky pitch but we coped with it really well, and we didn’t dawdle in the wrong areas. We were much better defensively and we weren’t taking too many chances so I’m pleased.”
Widnes travel to Premier Division side Glossop North End next weekend in the third round of the Men United Cup. Beforehand, they welcome Northern Premier League Premier Division side Skelmersdale United to the Select Security Stadium on Monday Night in the quarter-finals of the Liverpool Senior Cup.

Match Report by Callum Chadwick