MATCH PREVIEW: Optimum performance required
The eagerly awaited return to football sees Reds undertake a lengthy midweek journey to Nantwich Town for Tuesday’s FA Trophy First Round tie.
They take on the Premier Division outfit at the Optimum Pay Stadium, a first ever cup encounter between the two teams.
Dave Cooke’s side made a solid start to their league programme, losing just one of their opening six games. They were in 15th position prior to lockdown having obtained nine points from two wins and three draws.
They recorded a 3-2 victory over Redditch United in the previous round of the Trophy with Callum Saunders scoring twice in that game.
Saunders, son of Dean, also scored at Borough Park the last time the two sides met when the Dabbers recorded their first win in Cumbria.
All twelve previous meetings have been in league competition with the head-to-head producing six Workington victories, three for Nantwich and three draws.
Two of our successes were obtained at the Weaver Stadium, a 3-2 win there in season 2014-15 included a Conor Tinnion wonder goal and our 2016-17 visit was decided by Jack Ryan’s powerful header.
This will be the first time we have met Nantwich as a higher ranked opponent.
Danny Grainger will go into the game not quiet at full strength and will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the FA Cup reverse at Radcliffe back in September. After dominating the match for the best part of seventy minutes, Reds collapsed in the later stages to surrender a 3-1 lead and eventually lose 5-3, their only loss this season.
Preparation hasn’t been ideal for both sides but I’m sure Town and Reds would rather be playing, albeit a little cautiously, than the alternative of lockdown.
Reds resumed training last Thursday then had a session on Saturday morning which included an 11 v. 11 game with several members of the Development Squad boosting the numbers. It proved to be a good competitive workout with, thankfully, no more injuries.
Having won in their green change outfit in the two previous rounds, Reds will revert to their first choice kit on Tuesday with the Dabbers playing in their traditional colours.
Kick-off 7.45pm
Postcode: CW5 5BS
- Tickets are on sale via Nantwich Town.
