Recap

Reds got their promotion push back on track with their fifth away win of the season as they toppled the leaders at a wet and windy Seel Park.

This was more like the Reds of earlier in the campaign after an indifferent set of results and performances during October.

It was a very tight, even contest with Reds just shading the first half and emerging the better side after the break.

Yet the pendulum might have swung in Mossley’s favour had the best chance of the first half found a way past Jim Atkinson.  Harry Pratt cleverly chested the ball into Jordan Butterworth’s path and he advanced towards goal before seeing his well struck shot rebound to safety off the upright.

Mossley’s only other effort on target during the first half followed a swift move down the left but Atkinson gathered the ball routinely to thwart Jack Bannister.

Workington carved out more chances in that first period but a Nic Evangelinos effort in the first minute set the trend.  The ball cleared the bar as did similar attempts from Ceiran Casson, Brad Carroll and Brad Hubbold whilst David Symington dragged his two efforts wide.

The one occasion they made Jordan Hadlow work was just before the break when Symington and Steven Rigg combined well to release Carroll and his low goal-bound shot was blocked by the Mossley ‘keeper.

Workington enjoyed long spells in the Mossley half after the break but clear-cut opportunities were few and far between – at both ends.  A Symington free kick from distance whistled wide of the target and the large crowd could have been forgiven for thinking a goalless draw would be the most likely outcome.

But nine minutes from the end of normal time, Reds’ pressure told with substitute Reuben Jerome poaching the winner.  Symington’s fourth attempt at goal was on target but saved by Hadlow, only for the rebound to fall conveniently for Jerome who gleefully smashed home the loose ball from close range.

The hosts hadn’t troubled Atkinson at all in the second half but there was one late opportunity which fell to Jack Grundy but his effort lacked the power and the Reds’ stopper saved comfortably.

A collision between David Kuba-Kuba and Sam Smith resulted in the sad sight of the Mossley player being stretchered off, resulting in seven minutes of stoppage time, but much of that was effectively wasted by Reds and the hosts had accepted the defeat by then anyway.

It was a happy return for Chris Willcock to Seel Park who expressed his delight at the result afterwards against a team he previously played for and managed.

The manager also confirmed the departures of Kieran Charlton and Rowan Roache, both of whom have figured prominently this season.       

Mossley: Hadlow, Grundy, Kain (Marsden, 87), Butterworth, Evans, Matthews, Bannister, Keogh (Kuba-Kuba, 69), Pratt, Hickman, Fawns.  Substitutes – Phillips for Kuba-Kuba, 90, Riley and Kilner (not used).

Workington: Atkinson, Harrison, Clarke, Wordsworth, Smith, Casson, Symington, Carroll, Rigg (Jerome, 69), Hubbold (Tinnion, 69), Evangelinos (Gaul, 60).  Substitutes – Gooden, Eccles (not used).

Referee: Simon Robinson, Warrington

Booking: Harrison (Workington)

Attendance: 566

Photo credit: Adrian Booth