ON THIS DAY: 11 January – BPA in the Cup
Although Reds won on this corresponding day twelve months ago, our record on the 11th January in years gone by can only be described as moderate at best …….
Bradford Park Avenue have twice been our opponents on this day with both matches taking place in the FA Cup. Both ties took place at the magnificent old Park Avenue stadium and we suffered defeat on each occasion.
Our 1936 visit attracted a 10,706 crowd to the ground with North Eastern League Reds producing a gallant display before losing 3-2 against Football League Division Two outfit Avenue at the 3rd Round stage.
Tommy Carruthers and Dougie Sewell scored for Workington that day.
Avenue repeated the victory in 1967 when we were both members of the Fourth Division. The hosts won 3-1 second time around in another well supported tie – over 9,500 spectators in the ground – for a 2nd Round encounter.
Ken Oliver netted our consolation goal in the latter match.
We have also hosted Bradford City at this time of year with their 1975 to West Cumbria for a Fourth Division fixture finishing goalless.
Indeed, Reds failed to score in all four matches played at Borough Park between 1969 and 1992:
1969 v. Port Vale 0-0
1975 v. Bradford City 0-0
1986 v. Marine 0-0
1992 v. Warrington Town 0-2
Then, in 2011, we again failed to trouble the opposition ‘keeper when we lost 2-0 at Alfreton Town who consolidated top spot in National North with a straightforward win.
We were celebrating a few goals and a rare win on this day twelve months ago, however.
Reds won 3-0 at Colne with Brad Carroll’s close range finish giving us a half time lead. Scott Allison and Nathan Waterston added two more after the break and, as the elements deteriorated, we were able to keep Colne at arm’s length to collect three valuable points and maintain top spot. Workington’s only Football League success on the 11th was in 1958 when we recorded a 3-0 victory at Crewe Alexandra’s Gresty Road. Ted Purdon scored twice that day with Clive Colbridge also on target.
