Recap

Reds made progress in the Benevolent Cup with an emphatic victory over league newcomers, Dearham, who went into action without several regulars.

It was an even contest for the first half an hour but goals either side of the interval saw the flood gates open with a powerful Reds performance the upshot.

Chad Grisdale’s quick reactions led to the first goal after fourteen minutes.  He reacted to a partial save by Dearham ‘keeper, Ben Brown, and netted from close range to put Reds ahead.

They doubled their advantage on the half hour mark when a fine diagonal ball found Jack Dunstan and the Dearham lad controlled the ball with his first touch and guided it into the net with his second.

Scott Williamson almost made it three soon after but his powerful header rebounded off the cross bar.

Dunstan did net the third on the stroke of half time with a tidy finish after Tyler Harrell created the opening.

And Dunstan completed his hat-trick four minutes after the restart when Dearham made a hash of playing out from the back.

Cain Pears got in on the act by scoring the fifth after fifty-five minutes before Dunstan netted his fourth, Reds sixth, eight minutes later.

But credit to Dearham who attacked from the kick-off and were awarded a penalty after Aaron Lister tripped the goal-bound Jack Brown.  The latter, who played for Reds last season, picked himself up and confidently placed the ball into the net from the spot kick for United’s consolation.

Pears looked to have played a decent through ball but Dearham ‘keeper, Brown, advanced too far off his line, misjudged the bounce and the ball sailed over him and into the net for a bizarre seventh.

Young substitute, Luke Bewsher-Canon, broke through on goal but was tripped from behind, by Taylor Manchester, just as he was about to shoot.  The referee sent-off the defender and Pears completed his hat-trick by converting the subsequent penalty, making it 8-1 in Reds’ favour.

Workington saved the best until last with Harrell completing the goal spree with a sublime curling shot from the edge of the box which left Brown clutching at thin air. 

Team: Aaron Lister, Hayden Percival, Evan Stephenson, Scott Williamson, Jaden Scott, Cain Pears, Chad Grisdale, Luke Davidson, Tyler Harrell, Jack Dunstan, Luke Knowles.  Substitutes – Brad Barwise, Callum Bell, Spencer Bland, Luke Bewsher-Cannon, Alfie Schofield (all used).