Match report: Squires Gate 1 Widnes 2

Gate's first-ever Friday night league game didn't bring about a change of fortunes on the field as they suffered a sixth successive Hallmark Security League defeat.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Sep 2017, 02:22 BST
Updated 16th Sep 2017, 02:35 BST
Jack Williams crosses for Dean Ing to score Gate's goal Picture: ALBERT COOPERJack Williams crosses for Dean Ing to score Gate's goal Picture: ALBERT COOPER
Jack Williams crosses for Dean Ing to score Gate's goal Picture: ALBERT COOPER

The teams looked well matched in the early stages as this premier division match began at a frantic pace.

Gate’s first chance fell to striker Jack Williams, who created space but fired over the bar. Newly-promoted Widnes immediately responded with a chance of their own but dragged a shot wide.

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It was Gate who opened the scoring after 27 minutes, when Mark Buchan’s shot was blocked and the ball fell for Dean Ing to tap home.

For the first time this season Gate held a lead until half-time but the visitors equalised seven minutes after the restart.

Keeper Ben Fletcher failed to keep hold of the ball and Chris Lomax pounced to tap home.

And on 64 minutes the visitors were in front, Fletcher saving the initial shot only for Thomas Mitchell to fire in the loose ball.

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Gate had chances of their own but couldn’t force an equaliser. The best of them fell to Nick Greenall, who headed Buchan’s corner over the top on 66 minutes.

Gate’s last chance of an equaliser was Williams’ speculative effort from inside his own half which clipped the crossbar.

Bottom club Gate will try again to pick up their first points of the season at AFC Darwen on Wednesday.

MARK ASHMORE

Gate: Fletcher, Colquhoun, Rossall, Penswick, Higham, Hall, Greenall, Ing, Pett, Williams, Buchan; Subs: Carroll, Webb, Smith, Moorhead.