Recap

Steven Rigg was withdrawn from the starting XI after feeling unwell in the warm up, and subsequently replaced by Reuben Jerome, whilst Dan Wordsworth was left on the bench to protect the knee injury he sustained on New Year’s Day.

That meant birthday boy Brad Carroll slotting into the back four on his recall with debutant, Scott Fenwick, and Nic Evangelinos as the only two fit options as outfield substitutes.

Glossop also had a birthday boy in their ranks with chairman, Dave Atkinson, probably wishing he had been celebrating elsewhere after a difficult afternoon for North End.

It was a game they will choose to forget after repeatedly pressing the self-destruct button, which saw them conceding no fewer than three own-goals and finishing the contest with just nine men.

Workington were well below par too but an emphatic home win on a really difficult playing surface is all you can ask for at this stage of the season.

After the early sparring from both sides, we had to wait a good twenty minutes to see the first noteworthy attempt at goal. Jerome cut in from the left and a decent shot was matched by a good save as Glossop ‘keeper, Harry Allen, parried the ball to safety.

But Reds did take the lead in their next attack and it was Jerome’s twenty second minute header which broke the deadlock. David Symington’s cross was headed back across goal by Kyle Harrison with Reuben nodding home from eight yards.

The lead was short-lived and Glossop were back on terms less than four minutes later. They got through Reds’ lines a little too easily and when Conor Tinnion attempted to tackle Sidi Sanogo-Fofana, the referee was pointing to the spot as both players landed in a heap.

Jamie Rainford thundered home the spot-kick to restore parity.

Workington restored their one goal advantage within a minute thanks to OG number one.

Symington made progress down the right and his cross towards the near post was actually converted by Glossop skipper, Lee Wilshaw, with Workington players conspicuous by their absence in the area.

Matty Clarke ventured forward and saw a firmly struck shot pushed away by Allen before Reds extended their lead with OG number two.

Symington was again the provider, this time from the left, and his delivery into the danger area was intended for Jerome but headed past Allen by Ekow Coker.

The last attack before the break saw Jerome’s shot on the turn saved by the goalkeeper’s feet.

Within five minutes of the restart, Reds had put the game beyond Glossop with Brad Hubbold netting his first of the season with his less favoured right foot. He won the ball as Glossop dithered, advanced to the edge of the area and left the ‘keeper helpless with a good finish.

Jim Atkinson, another Reds player celebrating a recent birthday, had a trouble free afternoon but was called into action to keep out a Sanogo-Fofana shot, doing so with an outstretched foot.

Then the referee became the centre of attention as North End’s afternoon deteriorated further.

Sam Barratt was shown a straight red when a flaying arm caught Symington in the face and the referee decided red was appropriate, reducing the Derbyshire outfit to ten men on the hour mark.

The dismissal seemed a bit harsh but Luke Nock followed Barratt to the dressing room with a deliberate foul having already been booked for showing dissent. He tripped Jerome leaving the referee with no other option than to show him a second yellow.

But Workington didn’t put Glossop to the sword and, instead, huffed and puffed for a twenty minute period, failing to enhance their goal ratio.

Reds fifth goal of the afternoon came in the eighty-fifth minute thanks to the third OG of the afternoon.

Jerome did well on the right and his low cross was heading towards Fenwick, who looked a certain scorer, but Coker reached the ball first and put it past Allen for his second of the afternoon.

Rather bizarre to see Glossop players credited with four of the goals yet leave for home pointless!

Workington: Atkinson, Harrison (Fenwick, 62), Clarke, Carroll, Smith, Casson, Symington, Hubbold, Jerome, Tinnion, Gaul (Evangelinos, 46). Substitutes – Wordsworth, Eccles (not used).

Glossop North End: Allen, Whalley (Butterfield-Steede, 56), Sanogo, Coker, Wilshaw, Barratt, Nock, White, Rainford (Dass, 56), Sanogo-Fofana, Mulvey (Burey, 78). Substitute – Haslam (not used).

Referee: Matthew McQuillan
Bookings: Harrison (Workington), Nock, Whalley, Mulvey (Glossop North End)

Red cards: Nock, two yellows, Barratt (Glossop North End)

Attendance: 687