UP AND UNDER AT WIDNES AS FC HALT IRLAM

WIDNES 3 V IRLAM 2 @ THE SELECT SECURITY STADIUM
3 JAN 2015--2PM NWCFL 1

THE SELECT SECURITY STADIUM HALTON

Following the desolation of two weeks without football over the festive period the pre match planning was upset by the dreadful heavy rain forecast around some of my selected games so the safe choice was 3G.
To this end The North West Counties Football League 1 game at The Select Security Stadium Halton  for Widnes v Irlam came onto the radar.  Having arrived at Widnes station without to much hassle the hiking boots were then unwrapped for what was a 25 minute walk towards the town centre, which after a stop off in a local burger joint with the famous M symbol, was never reached.
This exploratory walk around the edge of Widnes found very little to take pictures of or create any talking points and although I normally find something to write home about in my travels to new towns in this instance I can honestly say I failed!  Hopefully that is probably me and the Jubilee Bridge did look impressive in the distance.
A slightly round about further walk to the ground found us arrive at the previously named Naughton Park a ground that as now had a long string of sponsors names.
Pictures taken of a very uniformed exterior with sameness being the order of the day we confidently marched towards the main entrance to gain access for the game and of course were promptly sent back to where we had just come from the fitness suite entrance which is the 'turnstile' for this game.

UNIFORMITY!

Widnes FC really lacked some signage here firstly for their game and also where to get in for the game there were a few hoppers at todays game and it was trial and error really.

Admission paid and programme purchased a toilet call was needed directed to the correct door I proceeded to walk into a changing room for the gym which saw a few startled fitness fanatics draped in towels, I located the toilets towards the far side of the room and thankfully yes it was the gents changing rooms.

THE CROWD JOSTLE FOR A SPARE SEAT

There was to be no grand entrance as the pitch was accessed by a small door to come out onto the corner of the ground.  The 3G was liberally sprinkled with black rubber pellets a common site at all artificial pitch grounds. 

IS THE CROWD SMALLER IN THIS PICTURE?

The first point which often fails at big grounds like this was that the two stewards here were friendly and welcoming and unobtrusive and I went on my way to do the usual ground pictures.
As you will see its always rather difficult to watch and I guess play in a stadium of this size, capacity around 14,000, with just 63 hardy soles viewing todays 5 goal extravaganza.
Widnes take on a kit similar in style to the rugby league club The Vikings and the shirt style and design is clearly of rugby league ilk with large baggy sleeves on show, they did look strange when compared to Irlam's shirts.
The first half saw Irlam take the lead but then two goals in 3 minutes just before half time gave Widnes a real boost Widnes a real boost.  The first was a weird goal were an Irlam defender header against his own bar and from the bounce of the ball it swung back and just over the line the goal being given by an eagle eyed assistant. 

NO GOALS YET

The half time interval saw a large amount of the crowd troop off to the bar underneath the stand for tea and travelling companion Mick and myself got into a nice conversation with fellow traveller Malcolm who was enjoying his travels after years of following the sadly now defunct Wakefield FC.  Of course their latter days were spent in a very similar position to the Widnes game today playing in front of 30 or so fans at Wakefield Trinity [Wildcats] rugby league ground.  We had a little chat about Wakefield's former homes and the sad fact that it would appear Wakefield is just a rugby league town and will probably never support a football side.

''HIGHER''

The second half started with Irlam pulling level from the penalty spot before Widnes secured all three points through a delightful chip from Jamil Campbell Joseph on 67 minutes, the goal of the game.
The mad dash to the station allowed us 21 minutes and we made it with a minute to spare saving an hour wait for the next train.  But Widnes station, this is not it should probably be retitled 'nearly Warrington for Widnes'!  Apart from the parkway type station I don't think I have come across a town station so far from its town centre, I know all the train buffs out their are coming up with examples.
Another new tick for me no non league pie sampling to be done here and although of course an enjoyable day I would like to revisit for a Vikings game when the ground is fuller to experience the atmosphere in this community stadium.  It must be hard for Widnes FC to generate interest rugby league town and large stadium for a small crowd is always difficult but as ever the trusted souls of non league football here at Widnes are working hard to try to achieve success.

NEARLY WARRINGTON FOR WIDNES STATION!