Recap
Whoever wrote the script for this ‘end of an era game’ at Borough Park, take a bow. It was so fitting that there was a happy ending for the quartet of departing Reds’ heroes.
It was Danny Grainger’s last game in charge after four superb seasons at the helm on a day when Messrs Tinnion, Allison and Smith had pulled on a Workington shirt for the final time.
And it was Sam Smith who headed home a ninetieth minute winner for the hosts, shortly after Conor Tinnion and Scott Allison had left the field to a standing ovation in pre-planned substitutions.
There wasn’t a dry eye amongst the 900 strong crowd as we said a fond farewell to four great servants of this much-loved club.
In typical Workington fashion, I suppose, they had ‘won’ the game in a dominant first half, allowed Guiseley to get back in contention after taking the foot of the accelerator then finished strongly to bank three welcome points and end a seven-match losing streak.
It was a ’dead-rubber’ game with neither side having anything to play for but it was important that the hosts did put on a show with personal pride at stake.
And from the moment Allison blasted the ball into the side netting when, perhaps, he should have scored, Workington were in control.
A Greg McCaragher shot on the turn was also close to opening the scoring before, following a quick Steven Rigg throw-in, Ollie Battersby saved smartly to thwart Dav Symington.
Smith had an effort cleared off the line and Jake Allan’s follow-up shot was saved by Battersby before Symington had two further efforts at goal – the first one saved, the second wide of the target.
But the breakthrough came in the forty-second minute. Symington crossed from the right and Rigg rose high with his marker but won the ball and headed home his twelfth goal of the season.
All that happened before Guiseley landed their first serious shot on target, although Adam Dawson’s effort didn’t really trouble Jim Atkinson.
The half time break didn’t do Workington any favours and the tempo wasn’t quite the same after the restart. Guiseley had introduced two substitutes and, without creating a great deal in terms of clear-cut opportunities, certainly saw more of the ball.
Symington had gone close to adding to the score when a well struck effort was pushed onto the post by Battersby but, at the other end, Jameel Ible headed a decent chance wide.
Guiseley gave their ‘Hawaiian’ dressed supporters a ray of sunshine with a fine headed equaliser from Reece Kendall. He climbed high at the back post to meet Dawson’s corner and his thumping header flew into Atkinson’s net.
And that seemed to be the end of the scoring as a draw looked the most likely outcome.
First Tinnion, and then Allison, left the field for the final time after fourteen and eleven seasons respectively and Guiseley, sportingly, played their part in the scripted scenario. By then, Kofi Moore – who had started the season as colleagues of the departing duo – was on as a substitute for the Yorkshire outfit.
Then came the fairytale ending with Smith, still unsure about his future a week ago, signing off in style. Like Kendall had done earlier, he powered in a far-post header to end his career in style by scoring the winning goal with almost his last touch of the ball.
It was a fantastic send off for the Grainger, Tinnion, Allison and Smith families – an abundance of smiles but, I suspect, plenty of tears too.
A big thank-you to them all.
Workington: Atkinson, McCaragher, Wallbank, Little, Smith, Casson, Symington, Allan (Hubbold, 69), Allison (Christian, 89), Rigg, Tinnion (Reilly, 82). Substitutes – Walker, Eccles (not used).
Guisesly: Battersby, Brown (Partington, 46), Kendall, Whelan, Ashman, Ible, Dawson, Chippendale, Denton (Afuye, 46), Pratt, Murphy (Moore, 77). Substitutes – Mariette, Tongue (not used).
Referee: Curtis Wood, Lancaster
Bookings: Symington, Allison (Workington)
Attendance: 912
Photo: Ben Challis