Recap
Mark Fell paid tribute to the Borough Park crowd for helping the team to that first home win of the season, after Hebburn appeared to be heading for a fifth league victory.
The Tynesiders had got their noses in front mid-way through the first half and Reds toiled away for nearly an hour before getting the rewards their dominance deserved.
And once the players produced that long awaited equaliser, the crowd reciprocated by producing an atmosphere which provided a timely boost…..just when it was needed.
“They did their bit and got us over the line, said a delighted Fell, adding, “they went home happy and so did the players and staff!”
In a game of few clear-cut chances, Hebburn squandered their best opportunity but netted with a second sortie into Reds’ territory after twenty-two minutes. Bailey Adamson got goal side of Tom Wilkinson but lacked composure and sent his shot over the bar.
But Reds didn’t heed the warning and when Adamson broke clear a second time, forcing his way between Jordan Little and Wilkinson, he went on to despatch the ball beyond Alex Mitchell, giving Town the early advantage.
Slowly but surely, Workington clawed their way back into contention and a second half, which got better and better, delivered two match winning goals.
Wilkinson’s sweet volley, via a Josh Galloway free kick, rattled the Hebburn crossbar but it gave Reds the belief they needed.
And Galloway played his part after being switched from left to right. It was his assist that changed the complexion of the game after seventy-nine minutes when a cross, drilled in from the flank, found the ever-alert Jamie Allen at the near post and he promptly converted his first Borough Park goal.
The mood changed immediately and as the home support found a collective voice, the players found the inspiration to complete the job.
Three minutes later, Reds netted again and it was another first-time scorer, Ben McCarron who bagged the glory. Eight minutes after joining the fray, he was lurking with intent at the far post and, after Steven Rigg cleverly ‘left’ the ball, appeared to have mistimed his shot. But, after a swift turn, he sent the ball into the net with a sweet left foot finish, securing three vital points in the process.
Two players, at different ends of their respective careers, deriving great satisfaction from their first league goals in Workington red.
It was a merited win in the inaugural league encounter between the two teams, and they will go through it all again at the weekend when Hebburn return to west Cumbria for the small matter of an FA Cup tie.
Workington: Mitchell, Stephenson (McCarron, 74), Galloway, Casson, Little (Swinglehurst, 78), Wilkinson, Nugent, Kamara, Rigg, Shakespear (Hubbold, 54), Allen. Substitutes – Howarth, Eccles (not used).
Hebburn Town: Hunter, Heywood, Groves, Devitt (Dialo, 83), Elsdon, Turner, Noble, Spence, Adamson (Murray, 44), Martin (Robinson, 68), Moore. Substitute – Dobson (not used).
Referee: Abid Hussain, Bolton
Yellow cards: Rigg, Mitchell (Workington), Martin, Noble, Spence, Turner (Hebburn Town).
Red card: Spence (Hebburn Town, two yellow cards).
Attendance: 812