Stockton Town FC v Widnes FC

Result
  • FA Cup

    Sat, Aug 31, 2024, First Qualifying Round
    1
    Stockton Town FC
    0
    Widnes FC

MATCH REPORT

Stockton Town FC v Widnes FC

Mikey Roberts’ goal was enough to lift Stockton Town past Widnes and into the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round. 

Michael Dunwell made one change from the side that beat Whitby Town as Glen Butterworth returned to the Starting XI in place of Cam Painter. 

Widnes, of the Northern Premier League West Division, came into the game after beating Ossett United in the Extra Preliminary Round and Stalybridge Celtic in the Preliminary Round. 

The game started in slow fashion with the first chance falling to Widnes’ Sharif Deans who cut inside and saw his shot blocked following a good move. 

Stockton put their first good move together near the half hour mark as neat work around the edge of the box ended with a Michael Sweet effort which was deflected wide. 

It was the visitors who had the only genuine chance of a bleak first half. Nathan Caine darted into the box and forced a strong stop from Nathan Harker before Jack McGowan headed against the bar. 

Harker again had to alert at the end of the half when he turned over a cross-shot from the left. 

Half-Time: Stockton Town 0-0 Widnes 

Into the second half, Widnes continue to pose a threat. The Anchors were given an early warning when a ball flashed across and narrowly missed Caine. 

Stockton almost had the lead close to the hour mark but for the brilliance of Mark Halstead in the Widnes goal. A low drive from Butterworth deflected into the path of Sweet who was thwarted by the former Blackpool goalkeeper. 

Stockton Town frustration was alleviated with twenty minutes remaining when fellow substitutes Elliott Beddow and Roberts combined with their first touch to break the stalemate. 

Widnes were not buried after that and pushed to force a replay. A free-kick on the edge deflected off the wall and was headed on goal by Rain but it wasn’t enough to trouble Harker. 

Harker again was sharp to deny Caine when he had a low effort from the edge of the box. 

In the end, Stockton held on for the win and booked their place in Monday’s FA Cup Second Qualifying Round draw. 

Full-Time: Stockton Town 1-0 Widnes FC

Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Butterworth, Nicholson, Coulthard, Thompson (Henry 64’), Leech (Painter 60’), Sweet (Roberts 67’), Fowler (Beddow 68’), Gallacher (Purewal 40’)

Unused subs: Johnson, Stephenson

Widnes: Halstead, Rydel, Rain, Battersby, Isherwood, Williams, Irwin (Kyffin 87’), Caine (Paton 76’), McGowan, Miller, Steele (Deans 17’)

Unused subs: Beamon, Walls, Batt 

Goals: 1-0, 69 min, Roberts

Attendance: 432 

Words: James Cartwright

Photo: Harry Cook

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