Recap
Reds first-team got their pre-season off to a winning start last night, beating Carlisle City 2-5.
Dav Symington’s double and goals each from trialist Jordan Holt, Brad Carroll and Ruben Jerome gave Danny Grainger’s side the victory.
In truth, neither team were at their best but for a first friendly, Reds’ two XIs performed admirably and recorded a resounding result in wet conditions.
Trailist Holt got Reds on their way after just six minutes, as his deflected strike slipped past City goalkeeper Kyle Townsley, going in off the post.
Brad Hubbold, the only man to start both halves, rattled the crossbar not long after the opener as Reds put the pressure on.
New signing Louis Potts and Scott Allison both went close, too but couldn’t score towards as the end of the first half loomed.
With five minutes remaining, though, Brad Carroll doubled our lead with a peach of a strike, curling in an effort from just inside the host’s penalty area.
Nevertheless, the game was an open one – thanks to no one dominating possession – and City managed a goal when Rob McCartney fired a low shot past Jim Atkinson into the bottom left-hand corner shortly before the break.
📍Gillford Park, @CarlisleCityFC
— Workington AFC (@WorkingtonAFC) August 4, 2020
It won’t be the same without the Reds travelling support 😢
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The second half got off to a shock start, as Reds were handed the chance to regain their two-goal advantage with a penalty just over a minute post-restart.
New signing Ruben Jerome stepped up after coming on as one of many changes, but Townsley tipped his effort round the right-hand post.
However, Dav Symington didn’t waste time made sure to make it 1-3 on 52’ with a thunderous effort from range.
That was before the visitors were awarded another penalty and the City stopper saved again from Jerome – no mean feat.
Symington once more made amends for his teammate, hitting a 35-yard free-kick straight past a this-time helpless Townsley.
With 15 minutes remaining, Jerome, following treatment for a knock, finally got his goal in style.
The forward cut inside from the left flank and fired in fierce effort to make it five, capping things off for his new club.
City did pull a consolation goal back when March Shiel’s pressing dispossessed Ceiran Casson on the edge of our penalty area, making it 2-5.
Reds first half – J. Atkinson; Clarke, Wordsworth, H. Atkinson, Smith; Holt (trailist), Carroll, Hubbold; Potts, Bowman, Allison
Reds second half – J. Atkinson; Hebson, Little, Howarth, Brockbank; Casson, Hubbold, Tinnion (c); Symington, Jerome, Lightfoot
🗣 “It’s been six months since we last played. There’s hopefully a lot more to come so there’s no point reading too much into it now.” – Conor Tinnion ©️
💬 Read more from Tinners on our website tomorrow from 12 noon ⏰
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— Workington AFC (@WorkingtonAFC) August 4, 2020