Widnes 2 Barnoldswick Town 0

BARNOLDSWICK Town’s recent run of success came to an end in one of the Hallmark Security League Premier Division games to beat the weather.

They were sunk by two second-half goals after a squandering a number of opportunities before the break.

A light flurry of snow greeted the players in their final warm-up before the game, but it was not enough to cause any concern.

Town started brightly and had the first shot on goal. Joel Melia brought a good save out of Richie Mottram when he intercepted a pass from Jack Graham to River Humphrey.

A minute later, a well flighted free kick from Alex Doyle was headed just wide by Mark Threlfall.

The first threat from Widnes came after 15 minutes when Kevin Towey brought the ball down from Sean Myler’s pass and saw his shot charged down by a great tackle from Shaun Airey

Just on the quarter hour Kevin Towey brought the ball down with a great touch from Sean Myler’s pass, he advanced into the visitor’s penalty area but his shot was charged down with a great tackle from Shaun Airey.

Town midfieldman Andy Hill tried his luck from distance and forced Mottram to palm the ball to safety.

At the other end, Connor King was happy to push Brad Smart’s curling shot aside at the expense of a corner.

Melia was a lively figure and he found space before crossing to Zack Dale who volleyed just over Mottram’s bar.

There was a setback for Town Hill went down under a hefty challenge from Myler. It left him unable to continue and led to substitute Liam Blades being brought on.

Widnes took the lead in the 56th minute. A surging run from his own half saw Jay Roberts play a one two with Towey before arrowing a shot past King into the bottom corner. T

Two minutes later and Towey found the back of the net but it was ruled offside.

There was a lucky let off for Town when Towey got in behind their and held off a tackle before slicing his shot wide.

Town manager Danny Craig tried to lift his side by introducing striker Aaron Hollindrake in place of Ben Gorman and replacing Melia with Jake Townsend

Townsend had only been on the field two minutes when Widnes wrapped up the points.

Widnes increased their lead after 78 minutes, as a powerful Jack Bannister shot took a heavy deflection before sailing into the top corner of King’s net.

The home side nearly increased their lead with ten minutes left, Banister hitting another powerful shot from distance, which King did well to tip over the crossbar.