Recap

Two cracking goals from Dav Symington, his first of the season, secured a welcome win for Danny Grainger’s side on a warm afternoon at Borough Park.

After the three consecutive heavy defeats, a positive result was needed and, overall, Workington were good value for the win.  They created more chances throughout the ninety, plus, minutes and Rangers’ Cameron Belford was certainly the busier of the two ‘keepers on duty.

A competent back four laid the foundation but it was Brad Hubbold and Ceiran Casson who dominated matters in the engine room with both having their best game in red for a while.

The front three played their part, too, and teenage striker, Taylor Bowen, worked his socks off in a very impressive full NPL debut.

After conceding early goals in the two previous games, a solid start gave confidence to players and supporters alike.  Very few chances were created in the opening half but Reds defended well and Jim Atkinson dealt confidently with several crosses into the area.  

Scott Allison was unlucky not to open the scoring after a flowing move down the right but his wonderful volley hit Belford, rather than the ‘keeper making a save, and Reds best chance of the half went unrewarded.

Workington probably shaded an even first half but, within two minutes of the restart, they were a goal down.  Alex-Ray Harvey’s pin-point corner to the near post was nodded home by Nathan Blissett and if Reds were going to get something out of the game, they would have to recover from conceding a fourteenth goal of the season.

But recover they did and two goals was scant reward for their efforts but sufficient to claim the points.

They were behind for less than ten minutes before Symington equalised with a superbly struck cross-shot after fifty-six minutes.

And last season’s top scorer could have doubled his tally soon after, only to find the side netting, but he, Allison and Kofi Moore all went close to grabbing the winner.

Belford was doing his bit to keep Reds at bay with a reflex save to deny Conor Tinnion the best of several he made in the second period.

But the experienced ‘keeper, and Rangers’ rearguard, were helpless as the hosts grabbed an 87th minute winner.  A wonderful assist from Hubbold carved open Stafford down the middle and Symington collected and controlled the ball in one sweet movement, before slotting home the decider.

It prompted a late response from the pink and purple clad Rangers but Dan Wordsworth and his colleagues stood firm and three much needed points were in the bag.

Hubbold’s substitution just before the end earned him the standing ovation he deserved, after an excellent afternoon’s work, but he was not alone in a superb team performance.

Workington: Atkinson, McCaragher, Bell, Wordsworth, Smith, Casson, Symington, Hubbold (Wallbank, 90), Bowen (Rigg, 81), Allison (Moore K, 70), Tinnion.  Substitutes – Moore L, Hammell (not used).

Stafford Rangers: Belford, Bird, Dunne, Harvey (Ford, 88), Stewart, Moult, Anderson, Braithwaite, Blissett (Morgan, 72), Willis, Payne (Woods, 90).  Substitutes – Burns, Roberts (not used).

Referee: Glen Hart, Darlington

Bookings: Symington, Tinnion (Workington)

Attendance: 709