Recap

A below par Reds produced a laboured performance in their latest Cumberland County League fixture and they were thankful for a draw by the finish.

Athletic were more efficient overall, creating far more chances during the game, and would have gone on to clinch all three points had it not been for Reds’ goalkeeper, Scott Paden-Gale.  He pulled off five excellent saves and kept Athletic at bay with a man-of-the-match performance.

When both teams created, and squandered, a chance inside the opening thirty seconds an open game looked on the cards and it was end-to-end action throughout.  But Reds lacked composure in the final third and their finishing wasn’t as crisp as their opponents.

They did go in front, however, and Matty Foster maintained his fine scoring form by netting another well taken goal after eight minutes.  He broke through the inside left channel and his rising shot got the better of Aarron Lister with the ball looping into the net.

Carl Lightfoot and Elliott Lowrie had chances to double the advantage but the former dragged his shot wide and the latter’s effort was saved by the ‘keeper.

Maryport fought back and were on top after a strong finish to the first half.  They equalised on the half hour mark when Ryley Short’s attempt from outside the box deflected off a Workington defender and wrong-footed Paden-Gale.

And the same player then had two great opportunities in quick succession.  His first was brilliantly parried by the over-worked Reds’ ‘keeper and his second rattled the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

Soon after the restart, Lightfoot broke through for Reds but could only drag his shot wide off the far post as the Athletic ‘keeper narrowed the angle.

Athletic then enjoyed a purple patch, matching their shirts, with three efforts on goal all pushed away by Paden-Gale, the best of which thwarting Callum Casson.

It was against the run of play when Reds were awarded a penalty after sixty five minutes.  Lightfoot appeared to be tripped when attempting to burst through the middle but top scorer, Foster, blasted the subsequent spot-kick high over the bar.

Foster’s next effort did hit the target but his firm shot was comfortably gathered by Lister.

Both teams appeared to run out of steam long before the finish and a raft of substitutions disrupted the flow of the game.    

Workington Development: Paden-Gale, Dmytrowski, Whitehead, Howarth, Pickering (Palmer, 60), Burns, Bell, Lowrie (Webster, 46), Foster, Booty, Lightfoot.  Substitute: Dawson (not used).

Referee: Alan Charters

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Match photos: Ben Challis