Recap
Tom Fowler was a Cumberland Cup hero for Reds eight years ago but emerged a match-winner for Whitehaven in a dramatic Second Round tie at Borough Park.
The teams were level (2-2) after ninety minutes, still joined at the hip after two hours (3-3) and were drawing (2-2) on penalties after the first ten spot-kicks. And when Keenan Mackay had edged Whitehaven ahead in the drama filled shoot-out, Fowler saved his third penalty, thwarting Ben McCarron, to secure a memorable victory against the cup holders.
Fowler had saved a penalty on his County Cup debut for Workington and played in the 2017 final for them but left the club after making just a dozen starts over two seasons.
And if Fowler didn’t get Haven’s man-of-the-match accolade, he should have despite excellent contributions from Lewis Tidy and Kian Goulding.
Battered and bruised Reds just wanted the game out of the way, without adding to the lengthy injury list, but they played their part in a ding-dong contest, albeit always playing catch-up, against a vibrant Haven team who sensed a great opportunity to cause an upset.
Tom Stephenson, one of just two players who started the league game at Gainsborough Trinity at the weekend, was added to the physio’s appointment list before half time when he hobbled off and with Reds trailing by two goals at the interval, it looked as though we would all be heading home just after nine-thirty!
But this epic contest just kept on giving.
The West Lancashire League outfit had gone in front after seven minutes when Lewis Tidy, another ex. Red, headed home at the far post following a corner.
Workington responded by moving the ball about well but without looking a threat in the final third.
And they went two down on the stroke of half-time when Goulding was allowed to dance through unchallenged and, although his shot was partially saved by Danny Eccles, Aidan Smith confidently drove home the rebound.
Makeshift Reds were back in contention eleven minutes after the restart with a well taken Ben McCarron goal after good work from Sam Christian who provided the opening.
And it prompted a good fight back by the hosts who had the lion’s share of the game over the second forty-five minutes.
A clever back-heel almost got Theo Farquharson on the scoresheet and Fowler made two brilliant saves to thwart skipper Kai Nugent – one via a freekick and the other which prevented what could have been the winner.
Reds had restored parity between those crucial Fowler stops when former Wigan Athletic youngster, Ruben Grewal, marked his debut with a seventh-ninth minute equaliser.
Fowler was inspiring at one end but the save of the night came at the other when Eccles stretched out an arm to keep out a goal-bound Carl Denver shot.
Whitehaven regained the lead just before the end of the first period of extra time. Goulding was again given the freedom of the park and Eccles made a mess of his shot and fumbled the ball into the net.
Then, with 120 minutes on the clock, Reds made it 3-3 to force extra time after Owen Johnston looped home his first goal for the club with proud dad, Craig, and grandfather, Ian, watching from the terraces.
So, enough excitement there to keep most supporters warm, as the winter chill finally arrived, but there was still the drama of the penalty shoot-out to come.
Lewis Tidy converted to put Haven in front only for Matty Clarke to equalise with his effort.
Kian Goulding capped a good personal night by tucking his spot-kick away and it was 2-2 when Josh Galloway did the same.
No such joy for the following six, all either saved or missed.
Travis Fyfe’s attempt was saved by Eccles, Theo Farquharson foiled by Fowler.
Taylor Hambling sent his kick into the night sky but Alfie McDonough was denied by Fowler.
Tom Fowler then took Haven’s next spot-kick only to be thwarted by Eccles then Kai Nugent missed the target altogether.
It was still 2-2 at that point after ten spot-kicks.
Carl Denver nudged Whitehaven ahead converting his and Ruben Grewal followed suit to make it 3-3.
Keenan Mackay converted what proved to be the winner because Ben McCarron had his effort saved by that man Fowler.
A great cup-tie played in good spirit, well done Whitehaven.
Workington: Eccles, Stephenson (Routledge, 44), Bell (Galloway, 46), Clarke, Farquharson, Christian (Johnston, 75), Wane, Grewal, McCarron, Nugent, Fulton (McDonough, 59).
Whitehaven: Fowler, Smith, Oswald (Woodend, 88), Harrison, Tidy, Powell (Mackay, 46), Hambling, Frampton, Swinburn (Denver, 76), Goulding, Fyfe. Substitutes – Sinclair, Holliday (not used).
Referee: Scott Henry, Carlisle
Bookings: Bell, Farquharson (Workington), Harrison, Frampton, Goulding (Whitehaven).
Attendance: 306