Recap

A ninth consecutive win extended Reds unbeaten sequence to thirteen matches, maintaining a five point lead at the top of NPL – West.

But it wasn’t the most entertaining of afternoons with this a step below winning ugly.

Mossley’s pass and movement football was pleasing on the eye but they lacked a cutting edge in the final third and it was methodical Workington who chiselled out the result.

But consider how many times Reds have been in Mossley’s position, played the better football only to come away well beaten and pointless!  Chris Willcock’s side have certainly developed the knack of winning football matches and, like skinning a cat, there are various ways of doing it.

And, on the back of a solid back four and a workmanlike midfield trio, Reds completed their fifth league double of a season which keeps on giving.  They were well short of their fluent best yet still won with a degree of comfort.

There should have been a first minute goal to celebrate but Brad Carroll, ably assisted by Brad Hubbold, failed to get a good connection on his shot and Mossley cleared the earl opportunity.

Mossley squandered their first chance too, Mason Fawns dragging the ball wide from a free kick.

David Symington had his customary free-kick soon after but, although it registered as ‘on target’ there wasn’t enough power to trouble Mossley ‘keeper, Dale Latham.

And it was Fawns, again, who came closest to opening the scoring when his shot narrowly cleared the bar.

At that point, it looked as though another decent crowd would be suitably entertained but the quality of play deteriorated after a bright start.

Reds got their noses in front five minutes before the interval with a well worked goal.  Some good play on the right culminated with Hubbold’s low cross to the far post being converted by Reuben Jerome for his fifth goal of the year.

Back came Mossley and Ben Richardson tried his luck from fully thirty yards only to see his well struck free-kick nonchalantly saved by James Atkinson.

Mossley returned from the warmth of the dressing rooms to start the second half on the front foot.  Fawns and Devon Matthews exchanged passes only for the latter to drag his shot wide when it looked easier to hit the target.  Harry Pratt and Fawns then combined but the lively number 10 failed to finish of the move when he shot wide.

Workington’s first shot on target in the second half was an over ambitious Symington effort from the centre circle which caused no danger whatsoever.

Fawns had another effort on goal but his shot was dealt with by Atkinson who, by then, was on course for his thirteenth clean sheet of the season.

With just a slender lead, there is always an air of tension on the terraces and there was a collective sigh of relieve when the hosts doubled their advantage after seventy eight minutes.

Mossley were unable to clear their lines allowing Sam Smith to recycle the ball with a diagonal pass to the far post.  Ceiran Casson timed his run superbly and capped a fine individual performance with an unerring finish for the all important decisive goal.

Once into the comfort zone, Reds introduced a trio of substitutes, with Tuesday’s match at Bootle in mind, and closed out the game without any further alarms.

It was a fourth successive 2-0 victory over the Lilywhites at Borough Park.     

Workington: Atkinson, Harrison, Clarke, Wordsworth, Smith, Casson, Symington (Dixon, 71), Carroll, Jerome (Fenwick, 79), Hubbold, Gaul (Leslie, 78).  Substitutes – Bowman, Tinnion (not used).

Mossley: Latham, Richardson, Sass, Butterworth, Evans, Matthews, Hickman, Keogh, Pratt (Arnasalam, 65), Fawns, Bianga (Morris, 83).  Substitutes – Grundy, Hadlow (not used).

Referee: Anthony Ball

Bookings: Gaul, Jerome (Workington), Bianga, Hickman, Butterworth (Mossley)

Attendance: 755

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