Recap
A special Greg McCaragher goal three minutes from the end secured a narrow win for Workington, after City had opened the scoring on the stroke of half time.
They probably deserved the victory overall, although they had to rely on a much improved second half performance after a sluggish start to this latest pre-season outing.
Players and fans will have to show a degree of patience over the next month or so as new systems, routines and personnel are introduced. There was a little bit of frustration, from both, when another new line-up lacked that bit of cohesion that City appeared to have.
Reds hardly trouble City’s rearguard in the opening half yet were unlucky not to go in front via a Dav Symington thunder-bolt which rattled City’s cross bar.
But a rare City attack towards the end of the first half resulted in the opening goal for the visitors.
Jordan Irving’s superb cross from the right caused confusion in the area and neither Steven Swinglehurst nor Alex Mitchell dealt with the ball which cannoned up onto the cross bar. Callum Birdsall was the quickest to react and promptly fired the loose ball into the roof of the Town End net.
Within nine minutes of the restart Reds restored parity after Kai Nugent made an immediate impact after his introduction from the bench. His low cross from the left was met by fellow substitute, Steven Rigg, at the near post and the ball, somehow, found a way past Scott Paden-Gale.
It prompted a good solid spell from the hosts and Nugent, Josh Galloway and McCaragher all went very close as they searched for that second goal.
Yet, after a period of domination, Reds were almost undone by a swift City counter attack. Liam Lightfoot ventured forward and his sweeping shot seemed destined for the net but, to Workington’s fortune, the ball struck Danny Eccles’ upright and rebounded to safety.
With a draw looking the most likely outcome, Reds were awarded a free kick late in the day. Galloway’s delivery to the far post was kept alive by Rigg’s header with the ball landing conveniently for McCaragher.
He had time and space to compose himself before sending a sublime curling shot beyond Steven Townsley and into the net for the winner.
It was a satisfactory conclusion for Mark Fell who was making his home debut as Reds’ new manager. He introduced three players who were named as ‘trialist’ and is hoping to use the trio (two defenders and a midfielder) again on Saturday.
Scope for improvement, from both sides, but Fell and counterpart, Dan Kirkup, were well satisfied with the effort and commitment their respective sides showed over the ninety minutes.
Workington: Mitchell (Eccles), Galloway, Walker (Rigg), Trialist (Howarth), Swinglehurst (Martin), Trialist, McCaragher, Casson (Bell), Symington (Christian), Trialist (McCarron), Park (Nugent).
Carlisle City: Paden-Gale (Townsley), Gordon, Olsen, Mahone, Lightfoot, Gallimore, Irving, Leslie, Birdsall, Blair, Kerr. Substitutes – Allison, Hartley, Kirkup, Cairns.
Referee: Adam Pattison
Crowd: 151
