MATCH REPORT: Workington U18 2-5 Whickham U18

Reds interest in the FA Youth Cup ended after defeat in the Extra Preliminary Round to an impressive Whickham side.

They never recovered from a poor start, conceding three goals in a sloppy opening twenty-five minutes.

And as good as Whickham were on the night, Reds’ boss, Craig Johnston, felt his team didn’t do themselves justice and seemed overawed by the occasion.

The visitors were a goal up after just three minutes and it came from a fine Albie McPate finish after he had cut inside before leaving Lucas Walker helpless with a firm shot.

And McPate would emerge man-of-the-match after a four-goal contribution, two in each half.

His second came after nineteen minutes as he tormented Reds’ back line with another good finish, after the hosts gave away possession a little too easily.

Reds’ ‘keeper, Walker, then conceded a penalty, picked up a yellow card for the foul and was beaten by Owen Kingsland who confidently converted the spot-kick.

There was a glimmer of hope just before the interval when Reds best move culminated in Sam Christian weaving his way through before failing to apply the crucial last touch.

The same player went close via a free kick soon after the restart but Reds did reduce the arrears after fifty-one minutes. They too were awarded a penalty and skipper, Owen Johnston, scored.

Whickham restored their two-goal advantage when Kingsland’s sublime short pass set up McPate who completed his hat-trick with another eye-catching goal, nonchalantly rolling the ball into the net.

Back came Reds with Luke Bewsher-Canon slotting a fine second goal through a crowded goalmouth although it was too little, too late.

And the skilful McPate had the final say with Workington guilty of more poor defending as he scored his fourth, Whickham’s fifth, ten minutes before the end.

Workington: Walker, Keenan (Carini), Bell, Johnston, Barwise (French), Christian, Schofield, Amor (White B), Carney, White L (Douglas) Rodgers (Bewsher-Canon).

Whickham: Smith, Graham, Ward, Gray, Clarke, Bakou, Stone, Storey (Allison), Kingsland, Ferguson (Parker), McPate.

Referee: Cameron Sealby

Booking: Walker (Workington)

Attendance: 130