Recap
Workington dealt with Storm Bert and an enthusiastic Mickleover side to claim their first win on the road for three months.
They have played better at times and not been rewarded but this workmanlike performance, in very testing conditions, was worthy of the win.
Credit to Mickleover for getting the game on at a much-improved Don Amott Arena and credit to both sides for battling through driving rain and a fierce wind and providing a decent contest.
After a difficult five hours on the road, Reds were in front in the ninth minute when the in-form number 9, Steven Rigg, converted a penalty after he had been fouled inside the area.
Mickleover might have been cursing their luck at that point because, just before the early goal, Alex Mitchell had denied Toby Smith at the other end.
And that seemed to be the problem for the hosts who lacked composure in both boxes – squandering some decent chances on the one hand and defending erratically on the other.
Very similar traits which have haunted Workington this season but, on the basis that they made fewer errors in this game, lessons learned are seeing an upturn in performances and results.
Workington, with the strong wind in their favour, could only register Rigg’s early penalty in the first half although Kai Nugent saw another effort kept out by Yusuf Mersin and Sam Hetherington’s shot hit the woodwork.
The vastly experienced Stuart Beavon squandered three chances, the best of which a header, on the run, cleared the bar.
Ruben Grewal had a great chance to double Workington’s lead soon after the restart but sliced his shot wide from a good position.
And it was Mitchell who preserved Reds’ slender advantage early in the second half with two excellent saves, the first when he came out on top in a one-on-one duel with Beavon and the other a finger-tip save to push Jamie Soule’s shot onto the bar.
But Mickleover’s purple patch was rewarded in the sixty-fifth minute. A sublime pass from Andy Dales split the Reds’ defence and Tyreace Palmer finished with aplomb to restore parity.
So, having temporarily lost their grip on the game, Mickleover’s goal sparked a great response from Reds.
They regained the lead thirteen minutes from time when Josh Galloway’s corner was bundled over the line by Jake Allan, his first NPL goal. And a renewed determination not to concede eventually got them over the line.
They had to survive a few anxious moments at 2-1 but secured the welcome win with a second penalty in stoppage time. Lucas Wane did well in his late stint via the bench and when he was fouled inside the area, the referee again pointed to the spot and Rigg duly converted.
Mixed emotions for the Galloway family with Reds’ Josh winning the bragging rights over dad, Mick, the Mickleover assistant manager.
Manager, Mark Fell, was delighted with the result and the performance but cautiously said, “We have to back-up this win with another good performance on Tuesday,” ahead of the home clash v. Basford United.
Mickleover: Mersin, Bennett, Ferron, Atkinson, James, Benson, Smith (Oppong, 88), Weston, Beavon (Edwards, 75), Dales, Soule (Palmer, 62). Substitutes – Ryder, Iwobi (not used).
Workington: Mitchell, Galloway, Clarke, Jake Allan, Farquharson (Swinglehurst, 58), Ambrose, Doumbouya (Wane, 70), Grewal (Christian, 90), Rigg, Nugent, Hetherington (Jamie Allen, 57). Substitute – Eccles (not used).
Referee: David Constable
Bookings: Farquharson, Ambrose, Clarke, Galloway (Workington)
Attendance: 180