A gruelling week at the end of a marathon campaign ended in Leicestershire and, thankfully, The Ravens showed a modicum of mercy against a Workington team that simply had nothing left in the tank.
Following the impressive win at Stalybridge twenty four hours earlier, this was always going to be a difficult ninety minutes but, as a damage limitation exercise, it could be described as a satisfactory conclusion.
Coalville won as comfortably as the score line suggests with two goals in the opening half hour and a third six minutes after the restart.
Dan Creaney took advantage of some ‘non-competitive’ defending, heading home Kyle Dixon’s cross after sixteen minutes. His second was even less strenuous, with a simple close range finish on the half hour mark via Nathan Watson’s assist.
Workington never threatened in the first half with Sheldon Mossop coming closest to a goal before Town got their noses in front. Jordan Holt saw a twenty five yarder drift wide of the target shortly before the interval.
And it was Holt, again, with a firm shot soon after the break which gave Reds hope but the goal bound shot was deflected for a corner.
Coalville added a third goal to their tally when Alex Howes broke clear on the left and found Watson who converted with ease.
With forty minutes remaining, the hosts could have racked up an impressive win but they wasted several decent chances to keep the score line somewhat respectable.
Mossop was impeded inside the area, but the referee turned down Reds’ appeals for a penalty, and the youngster then sent a low shot wide
as they sought a consolation goal.
When Mossop was forced to retire through injury, the game ended in light-hearted mood when manager Lee Andrews entered the fray. His last league outing was in January, 2015 but he ‘enjoyed’ the final fifteen minutes as an emergency centre forward and, had he applied the WD40 beforehand, might have scored with his first involvement.
Credit to the depleted squad, though, who have gone beyond the call of duty in a punishing, end of season schedule. After Saturday, they can all take that well earned rest.
Coalville Town Taylor E, Taylor C, Bryant (Woolley, 46), Jenno, Freeman, Towers, Hollis, Dixon (Torr, 46), Creaney, Watson, Howes (Dean, 68). Substitutes – Dillon, McGlinchey (not used).
Workington Taylor A, Harker, Symington, Douglas, Hetherington, Mellen, Brown, Holt, Rigg, Mossop (Andrews, 75), Holliday.
Referee Richard Eley, Derby
Attendance 120
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
9. | Barwell | 46 | 64 |
10. | Stourbridge | 46 | 62 |
11. | Workington | 46 | 62 |
12. | Mickleover Sports | 46 | 61 |
13. | Stafford Rangers | 46 | 61 |
14. | Matlock Town | 46 | 60 |
15. | Nantwich Town | 46 | 57 |