ON THIS DAY: 14 February – Maiden win at Booth Crescent & first win against the Bucks
Roses are red, our strips are too…….Yes, Workington’s record on St. Valentine’s Day has been very impressive over the years and includes an unbeaten away record going back a century – how romantic is that?
1953 York City (away) 3-1 Reds had suffered a heavy defeat on their first visit to Bootham Crescent twelve months earlier, which probably made our maiden win there all the more satisfying. Harold Wallbanks scored twice and Chris Simmonds was credited with our other goal.
1959 Hartlepools United (away) 3-0 A league double over ‘Pools’ helped us finish above them in the table – something we hadn’t managed to do in the previous seven seasons. The recently recruited Alan Blakeman scored two more goals taking his tally to five in his first three games. Regular marksman, Billy Robson, also netted.
1964 Aldershot (home) 4-0 Having lost by the same score in the away game the previous October, there was a degree of symmetry as we took our revenge in the return. Bill Hopper was our centre forward in the promotion campaign and he scored twice (his 9th and 10th) in a convincing win. Our two wingers, Geoff Martin and Barry Lowes were also on target and old three scorers finished with double figure totals.
1970 Grimsby Town (away) 1-1 Both games against the Mariners finished all square in the ’69-70 season with a Tony Geidmintis penalty securing our point in the Blundell Park encounter.
1976 Scunthorpe United (home) 2-3 Barry Donaghy scored his first goal for Reds on this day but in vain, unfortunately. Both sides scored twice in the first half with our second courtesy of a Scunthorpe defender. The visitors netted a second half winner to complete a league double and leave us floundering at the foot of the table.
1978 Morecambe (away) 3-3 This entertaining fixture was played at Morecambe’s old Christie Park ground and Mr Donaghy scored twice on this occasion to help us obtain a valuable point. Player manager, David Wilson, also netted for Reds whilst Malcolm Darling, who would play for us eventually, grabbed a brace for the hosts.
1987 Worksop Town (home) 2-1 After playing a handful of games at Lonsdale Park during three months in exile, we made a welcome return to Borough Park and marked the occasion with a narrow win. Town hinted that they may spoil the homecoming by taking the lead but Billy Gilmour equalised and Gary Messenger got a late winner.
1993 Bridlington Town (away) 0-0 Reds came close to ending Bridlington’s thirteen match unbeaten run with a decent performance at Queensgate. Lee Copeland was pleased to keep a clean sheet but it was Town ‘keeper, Ian Taylor, who emerged as man of the match, keeping us at bay with a string of fine saves.
1998 Congleton Town (home) 4-0 Reds hit all the right notes in this straightforward victory, their best of the season, with Glen Miller scoring two of the goals. That was after Lee Collins had opened the scoring direct from a corner. Derek Walsh was also on target in a win that lifted us off the foot of the table.
2004 Stocksbridge Park Steels (away) 1-0 Glenn Murray scored the only goal of a keenly fought contest with Reds on course for a 7th place finish. The Sheffield outfit were a bottom six club yet played well on the day but couldn’t find a way through a defence superbly marshalled by the outstanding Will Varty.
2009 AFC Telford United (home) 1-0 We bid a sad farewell to long-serving groundsman, Billy Watson, who had recently passed away. The match was preceded by a minute of silence in memory of a true club legend.
Reds then put on a fine display which secured a first ever win against Telford with Gareth Arnison scoring a superb winner from an acute angle.
2015 Halesowen Town (home) 0-0 Dav Symington had joined the club on loan from Carlisle United but his debut ended in bitter disappointment as he was stretchered off after sustaining a knee injury.
Reds couldn’t prize-open Town’s solid defence and they returned to the Midlands delighted with the point they had obtained.
2017 Cleator Moor Celtic (home) 5-1 Reds eased into the semi finals of the Cumberland Cup after dominating the second half. It had been an even first half and Celtic equalised with their first shot on target. Sharing the goals for the hosts were Sam Joel (2), Sam Smith, Nathan Waterston and Conor Tinnion but Anthony Wright had his penalty saved by Craig Devine.
