MATCH PREVIEW: Reds ready for the challenge
After a disappointing start to the season (three defeats in five league games), Reds switch their attention to the FA Cup on Saturday and the daunting prospect of facing South Shields at the 1st Cloud Arena (3pm).
Although Shields and Reds have met in the recent past, this will be the first time Danny Grainger has come up against Kevin Phillips either as a player or a manager. Both are relatively new to the managerial game and, although at different ends of the scale in terms of the respective status of their clubs, will be keen to make their mark in the FA Cup.
The Premier Division outfit have made a solid start to their league campaign, are unbeaten in six (three wins, three draws) and, once again, will feature prominently in the race for promotion to National North. Like us, they suffered through the pandemic but have also tasted failure in the promotion play-offs.
The archives tell us that Workington and South Shields have a history of playing against each other but encounters with the Mariners in their current guise, and under the NPL banner, are few.
Back in the ’17-18 season, Shields inflicted a 5-1 defeat upon us at Borough Park in a NPL Challenge Cup tie then, the following year, completed a league double over Reds during our relegation campaign, winning 4-1 in the North East and 2-0 in Cumbria.
Even since that visit, the stadium has changed considerably and supporters will enjoy the match day experience regardless of the outcome!
Workington supporters are reminded that the bar areas inside the ground take card payments only but the food kiosks will accept cash or card. Turnstile 1 is a cash entrance.
If you are already in the area, the nearest Metro station is Bede but the postcode is NE32 3UP and that should take you to the right ground.
