Recap

Wrighty’s farewell

A fitting farewell to Anthony Wright with Reds producing a commendable performance in the annual fixture against Cumbrian rivals, Carlisle United.

John Sheridan named ex. Reds Adam Collin, Max Brown and Jack Egan in the United squad, with Jordan Holt a notable absentee, while several players in the Workington camp had experienced life in the Blues Academy.

Watching from the stand were two former United favourites who later managed Reds – Les O’Neill and Darren Edmondson.

Wright was one of those who started with United and finished at Reds but his appearance on this occasion was a fifteen minute cameo, not the usual full-blooded ninety minutes we have come to expect in his thirteen seasons at Borough Park.

He was substituted by the player who many feel is a ready-made replacement for the popular Wright – Brad Hubbold. The latter had another impressive outing for Reds, maintaining his superb pre-season form.

Reds made a bright enough start and an Arron Bradbury shot wasn’t too far away from Collin’s net.

But United established a two goal lead by the break.

The first, via the penalty spot, when Jerry Yates was impeded by Lewis Tidy with Jamie Devitt converting to give United a twenty-fourth minute advantage.

Yates scored the second himself seven minutes before the interval. Aaran Taylor saved his initial shot but the ball rebounded conveniently to Yates who rolled the ball home at the second attempt.

United were home and dry on the hour with Mike Jones involved in the build-up. A couple of red-shirted defenders couldn’t clear the cross and Richie Bennett side-footed into the bottom corner from close range.

Conor Tinnion brought a fine save out of United’s second half ‘keeper, Joe Fryer, who pushed away Reds’ best attempt on goal with the latter also thwarting Hubbold.

But Fryer was left helpless with Reds’ well constructed consolation goal. A neat passing move down the left culminated in Kieran Maguire’s fourth, and probably most satisfying, goal of pre-season nine minutes from time.

Lee Andrews was pleased with Reds efforts against the League Two outfit saying, “The lads were disappointed to go in at half time 2-0 down and the score flattered Carlisle a bit because we were well in the game. But the pleasing thing was they kept working and looked decent at times.”

He also paid tribute to the departing Wright,
“Wrighty has been brilliant for the club and didn’t look out of place during his time on the pitch.”

Workington Taylor (Casson), Douglas, Rowntree (Holliday), Smith (Harker), Tidy (O’Brien), Wright (Hubbold), Pearson (MacDonald), Cowperthwaite (Mellen), Bradbury (Pattinson), Maguire (Hetherington), Tinnion (Miller).

Carlisle United Collin (Fryer), Miller (Olsen), Liddle, Parkes (Gillesphey), Grainger, Devitt (Egan), Jones, Slater (Glendon), Etuhu (Adewusi), Yates (Bennett), Stockton (Brown). Substitute – Hope (not used).

Referee Anthony Backhouse, Brampton

Attendance 678