MATCH PREVIEW: Reds begin defence of trophy

Five months after lifting the Cumberland Cup at Brunton Park, Reds begin their defence of the trophy with a home tie against County League side Gosforth on Tuesday (7.45pm).

It is the final match of the First Round draw with Whitehaven, Whitehaven Miners Social, Wigton Harriers, Kirkoswald, Windscale, Carlisle United, Maryport Athletic and Penrith already through to the next stage where they join seven other clubs given a bye.

The winners of the Reds/Gosforth match will play Dearham United in the next round.

Workington have met the village side several times before in the competition but are not expecting a repeat of the score line obtained during the 59-60 campaign.  A Reds A team emerged 17-1 winners on that occasion with Barry Gibb helping himself to a double hat-trick.

Gosforth are currently members of the Cumberland County League but haven’t met the Reds Development team yet.  Last season, they defeated us twice with a draw the outcome of a third meeting.

It will be a makeshift side that takes on Gosforth but several first team players, including Argentinian defender, Gabriel Rios Newton, have been named in the squad.

The match will be decided on the night with extra time and penalties introduced if necessary.