Recap

Stunning Tinnion set piece earns Reds parity

A young, naive at times, Reds team were held by a more experienced Consett outfit at Borough Park and, whilst the respective managers wouldn’t be too happy with the defensive frailties on show, the sparse crowd were treated to some cracking goals.

And it was a Conor Tinnion (inset) wonder strike from a free kick twenty-five yards out that salvaged a deserved draw for the hosts after Consett established what looked like an unassailable lead. They were 3-1 ahead by the thirty-seventh minute but Reds recovered, reduced the arrears by half time and, overall, deserved something from the game.

Tinnion, who capped an outstanding performance with his second goal of pre-season, struck six minutes into the second half and, although they didn’t have enough to go on and win the game, there were plenty of positives to take out of the ninety minutes.

Second best in the first half, Reds shaded the second as they extended the unbeaten summer run to four matches.

Tinnion actually squandered the game’s first chance but he would have the final say in another ‘duracell’ performance. He covered every blade of scorched grass for the cause with he and newcomer, Brad Hubbold, turning on the style for Reds.

Despite their best efforts, though, Reds were staring defeat in the face at one point as two special Danny Craggs goals, a header and a crisp low shot from the edge of the box, had put Consett in the driving seat. Those strikes after thirteen and thirty-six minutes were quality but bettered by Michael Mackay’s delightful curler which saw Reds on the ropes.

Ellis Pearson’s first goal for the club, following excellent build-up play involving Tinnion and Aaron Bradbury, restored first half parity, after Craggs’ opener, but it only lasted ten minutes.

But having gone 3-1 down, the hosts showed good character to bounce back scoring the fifth goal of the afternoon five minutes before the interval. Hubbold did exceptionally well out wide before rolling the ball into Matty Douglas’ path who confidently side-footed beyond Kyle Hayes.

Reds’ tempo after the break was noticeably better which might have had something to do with them sticking to the same XI for the best part of an hour with Consett using a roll-on, roll-off policy with their substitutes.

After Tinnion’s stunning strike there was no further scoring but both squads had a worthwhile run-out whilst the supporters were treated to the best (and worst) from their respective favourites.

“We knew today would be the toughest test of pre-season so far as they are a decent side. It took us about thirty minutes to get to grips with the way played but after that and, throughout the second half, we were much better,” was Lee Andrews’ honest assessment of the game.

Workington Taylor (Casson), Harker, Rowntree, Douglas, Tidy (Hetherington), Hubbold, Pearson (Mossop), Cowperthwaite (MacDonald), Bradbury (O’Brien), Maguire (Holliday).

Consett Hayes, Green, Lavery, Slocombe, McKinnon, Purewal, Carr, Smith, Sweet, Craggs, Cassidy. Substitutes – Convery, Luke, Lawrence, Male, Gray, Coombe, Mackay.

Referee Adam Pattison, Workington

Attendance 135