Joint manager Steve Akrigg declared himself delighted after watching his Widnes side secure a 5-0 first-leg advantage in the Macron Cup semi-final with Winsford United on Monday night.

Widnes were relentless from start to finish, racing into a three-goal lead after 20 minutes after goals from co-boss Kev Towey, Ben Hodkinson and Michael Grogan.

Towey would go on to strike either side of the break to complete his hat-trick and to ensure that Widnes collected a healthy advantage ahead of the second leg at the St Luke's Barton Stadium next Tuesday.

Speaking after the game, Akrigg felt that Widnes had produced their "best performance for a long time" after a relentless first leg showing.

"In regards to the result, it couldn't have gone any better to be honest," Akrigg said.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be able to take a 5-0 lead into the second leg. I thought that the lads were superb from start to finish and thoroughly deserved the win.

"It was important that we kept the tempo high with and without the ball. I thought that today, we were very good without the ball.

"It was the best we've played for a long time. We were very dominant in both areas of the pitch, took our chances well. I can't really complain."

Akrigg felt that Widnes' high pressing game was significant in his side's dominant performance.

He said, "We watched Winsford and felt that they left quite a lot of space behind a high line, making it easier for us to drop the ball in behind, especially in the full-back areas.

"We wanted to press them from there really and I thought that we did really well.

"The fourth goal typified that. Burkey has won the ball back on the halfway line, put the ball in behind and we've scored. That's because we've pressed so high and they've sat with a high line.

"I felt that we took our chances really well."

Akrigg heaped praise on the strike-partnership of Towey and Hodkinson, with the Widnes co-boss particularly impressed by the performance of the latter.

He said: "Kev will be annoyed that he's missed one in the second half and not scored four, but we know what he's about. He scores goals.

"Ben Hodkinson has probably put in his best performance in a Widnes shirt tonight. I thought that Burkey was solid and organised the line really well at the back.

"To come away with a 5-0 win and a clean sheet, I'm delighted."

Widnes now face Northwich Victoria on Friday night as Akrigg and Towey's side return to Hallmark Security League Premier Division action.

Akrigg is keen to stress that three points remains the priority for Widnes moving forward, with promotion still to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League still up for grabs.

"Like I've said, the priority between now and the end of the season is picking up as many points as possible," Akrigg said.

"We need to push on as much as we can. We'll have a look at Vics and prepare well for the game.

"We've started to build a bit of a fortress here, and we'll look to take advantage of that on Friday."