Recap
Reds U18s made their JPL debut at Lakes College and emerged comfortable winners in a League Cup Group match.
But, after an impressive first half display, the second forty-five minutes proved more challenging as the Morecambe side came more into the picture.
From the outset, Reds demonstrated plenty of cohesion and bundles of energy and certainly had the edge in midfield.
And the bright start was rewarded after ten minutes when the hosts were awarded a penalty when Alfie McDonough was tripped inside the area. Joe Douglas (inset) stepped forward and calmly despatched from the spot to claim Workington’s first goal in the new league.
They doubled their advantage before the interval after good build-up play down the right flank, culminating in Jayden Fulton placing the ball past the United ‘keeper for a tidy finish.
Reds were worthy of the two-goal advantage at the break but it was a different story upon the restart. And when Callum Bell conceded a penalty, successfully converted by Ben Asemota, Pause enjoyed a good spell and clearly had the momentum.
An equaliser from the visitors looked inevitable but the balance swung in Reds’ favour and a rather fortunate goal fifteen minutes from time restored their two-goal advantage. Fulton’s cross caught the goalkeeper off guard and ended up in the net and the unexpected goal restored a sense of comfort, and relief.
Coaches, Craig Routledge and Scott Christian, praised the players for their first-half performance but stressed the importance of maintaining focus over the full ninety minutes as they prepare for a challenging series of fixtures ahead.
Team: Joseph Rumney, Luke Routledge, Callum Bell, Joe Douglas, Harrison Telford, Kelvin Amor, Sam Christian, Alfie Schofield, Alfie McDonough, Jayden Fulton, Joe Carney. Substitutes – Lucas Palmer, Liam White, Brad Keenan, Ben Carini and Luke Bewsher-Canon