Nerves of Steele helps Purps past poor Widnes
A double from the spot by Nathan Burke and further strikes from James Steele and Michael Simpson meant Michael Ellison’s return to the Berry Street Garage Stadium dugouts was miserable, as his Widnes side were pummelled 4-0 by City of Liverpool.
an opening 45 where neither side was able to muster any clearcut chances, John McGrath, a former white, almost broke the deadlock when his swerving effort was tipped away by Cameron Terry and evaded an onrushing player ready to meet the follow up. This was followed up with James Steele’s free-kick being diverted over before Widnes calved an opportunity of their own.
Jordan Simpson’s audacious effort from range flew over the bar before second later, his teammate Ste Rigby was cautioned for a foul in the box, leading to a City of Liverpool penalty. Nathan Burke made light work of the spot-kick, comfortably slotting past Terry to give Paul McNally’s side the lead.
The game seemed to lose it spark and twenty minutes after the ‘Purps’ went in-front, the hosts attempted to make their lead more secure with Burke and Steele threatening the target, the latter saw his effort smothered by Terry.
The first time Hamer saw his abode endangered by the visitors was from a Will Jones strike. His effort took a vicious deflection on the way to the arms of Hamer.
HT: City of Liverpool 1-0 Widnes
The Purps were soon two goals to the good after the interval. John McGrath drove at the Widnes backline before picking out the run of James Steele, peeling round the back post. The City of Liverpool front-man comfortably finished off and sent the hosts in the right path.
Terry tipped away an almost third for the hosts before they were threatened themselves. A dangerous ball into the area forced the ‘Purps’ to clear off the line to avert the danger.
Widnes were punished once more in their penalty area as skipper James McCulloch yanked down McGrath. Burke was reliable from the spot again, wrong-footing Terry and putting the hosts three up.
Deep into injury time, Michael Ellison’s misery was compiled, as a long-ranged strike from ‘Purps’ substitute Michael Simpson nestled into the bottom corner, rounding off proceedings.
FT: City of Liverpool 4-0 Widnes
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