Recap
KO deliver late KO blow
The Development Squad’s latest outing proved a tough learning curve and included good, bad and indifferent facets of the game.
They controlled proceedings for an hour, were three goals ahead soon after half time, still 3-1 in front with twenty minutes remaining yet became the victims of a stirring fight-back by the Westmorland League outfit to lose by the odd goal in seven.
It was a nervous opening from the young Reds but gradually their possession game saw the balance of play swing in their favour and two late goals in the first half rewarded their efforts.
Luke Ivison’s well taken first broke the deadlock after clever footwork took him past the last defender before finishing with aplomb.
That move was created on the right flank, with Thomas Houghton providing the assist, and they found similar joy soon after to turn around two goals clear. Carl Lightfoot did the spadework and his teasing cross into the area was confidently despatched by Matty Foster.
Immediately after the restart, Ciaran Booty broke through a flat-footed Kirkoswald defence to score a nonchalant third to seal what should have been a comfortable away win.
But Reds lost their grip and credit to the red-shirted hosts for staging a remarkable recovery.
When Shaun Elliott reduced the arrears with a close range finish in the seventieth minute, it changed the mood in both camps. Workington became tense and sloppy whilst Kirkoswald suddenly came to life.
And three goals in eight minutes rewarded the village side’s desire.
Ryan Bell got their second and an unfortunate slip by a Workington defender led to Reece Simpson strolling through for the equaliser.
And it was left to Elliott to grab his second and the match winner five minutes before the end as an eventful encounter finished in semi-darkness.
A good work-out for both sides and well refereed by former Reds’ assistant manager, Kenny Brown, but a painful final twenty minutes from a Workington perspective.
Team: Watson, Howarth, Atkinson, Skinner, Hartley, Burns, Ivison, Webster, Houghton, Foster, Lightfoot. Substitutes – Booty, Grisdale, Hambling, Dmytrowski, Whitehead