Kidsgrove Athletic got their first home win of the 2021/22 season as they beat Widnes 1-0 in a game that would test Kidsgrove’s physical and psychological prowess.

As referee (Barry Lamb) initiated the game with a blow into the whistle a cry of “UP THE GROVE” from the Kidsgrove faithful rang out across the Autonet Insurance stadium in the cool evening breeze.

The game had an uneventful first ten minutes, it seemed the two sides where still sussing each other out, still searching for that weak point in each other’s armour. This weak point was well and truly found in the 26th minute thanks to a Ricky Bridge freekick placed perfectly on the head of Lewis Bergin. The Grove number 5 was able to capitalise with a glancing header down low to the opposition goalkeepers left.

Now with a one goal deficit, Widnes were as fired up as ever. Tension began to build on the pitch thanks to fouls committed by and against Kidsgrove players, one incident in particular left fan favourite Kyle Diskin having his head bandaged up.

This fiery Widnes attitude was soon quelled by the Kidsgrove man between the sticks, Kieran Harrison, who in the 34th and 38th minute pulled of a pair of astonishing saves, with each save Harrison showed off his bravery and commitment by parrying low shots destined for the far corners of his goal. Widnes forward Ben Wharton was left to dwell on his missed chances as the half time whistle blew.

The resumption of the second half was paralleled with a sudden drop in temperature around the ground, a cool summers evening had turned into a cold frozen affair. With this drop in temperature came a slowing of the pace of the Tuesday night tie. The first 20 minutes of the second half seemed to be a repeat of the first half, both teams had now read each other and knew what to expect, there was a threat of a stalemate ensuing.

This illusion of a stalemate was quickly shattered when in the 82nd minute Widnes player Kyle Harrison lashed out on Jake Twyford exactly right on the 18-yard box. Harrison was shown a straight red after kicking Twyford when the ball had gone out of play. Down to 10 men the Widnes team seemed to be out of options, they resorted back to playing long ball after long ball over the top of the Kidsgrove defence. But each time the wall of defenders stayed poised to fend off the barrage.

After a flurry of yellow cards in the last 15 minutes, the final whistle sounded after a lack-lustre stint of possession by the grove.
Even with the games “stop start nature.” There are plenty of positives to take from this home tie. Once again fan favourite Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi shined out on the green, his blistering pace and vision for a through ball make him a nightmare for any opposition defence. Another highlight came from Kidsgrove’s number one Kieran Harrison who really stood out once more, with his commanding voice rallying the grove side and excellent ability to smother out chances and stop shots. The Kidsgrove fans made their feelings about Harrison's display known at full time, singing his name long after the whistle had gone.