MATCH PREVIEW : History on Reds side

Three previous encounters against Mirehouse in the Cumberland Cup have seen Reds’ progress in the competition and they are strong favourites to do so again when the sides meet at Seathwaite Avenue on Saturday (3pm).

The holders will begin their defence of the trophy against County League outfit, Mirehouse, and are able to play the fixture, as drawn, due to Reds having no scheduled NPL game at the weekend.

The hope, now, is that the rain which is forecast is not as heavy as it has been in other parts of the country over recent days.

And Reds fans are encouraged to attend the First Round tie, part with a few quid, and make it a financially successful afternoon for a team that plays a vital part in the local community.

The teams have played each other in the Senior Cup three times in the past and Workington have emerged successful on each occasion.

Back in the ’98-99 campaign, Reds won 3-2 in a closely fought tie at Borough Park and then won convincingly at Mirehouse (9-0) eighteen years ago when Craig Johnston (3), Tony Nicholson (3), Wayne Gordon (2) and Dean Douglas shared the goals.

More recently, during the ’08-09 season, Reds returned to the Mirehouse ground and won 3-1 with Darren Edmondson amongst the scorers.

Mirehouse are currently in Division One of The County League and reached the semi-final of the Cumberland Cup eleven years ago after knocking out higher ranked Windscale and Kirkoswald.

Mark Fell will name as strong a team as possible but will be without a few players still on the injured list and the Carlisle United loanees.

The Mirehouse pitch is situated to the north end of the estate (adjacent to St Benedict’s Rugby Union Club) and best approached via the B5345 Whitehaven to St. Bees road.

Once on Meadow Road, access to the ground is via Newlands Avenue with postcodes (CA28 9SW and CA28 9SH) applicable.