ON THIS DAY: 20 February – Trophy and Vase Quarter Finals
A look through the diaries reveals that Reds played quarter final ties in both FA Trophy and Vase, completed a league double over a former manager, recorded a milestone victory and played before a 12,000 crowd at Borough Park all on the 20th February in previous years…….
2018 Marine (home) 2-1 Both sides gave youth a chance in this NPL Challenge Cup tie with five teenagers named in each squad. Phil McLuckie skippered the side which included a few unfamiliar names – Joe Hetherington, Cam Harker, Tommy Whitehead, Ben MacDonald, Jamie Pattinson, Leo Holliday and Sheldon Mossop. Even the managerial team was different with senior players Gari Rowntree and Conor Tinnion in temporary charge due to Lee Andrews’ absence through work.
But it was one of the ‘older’ younger players, Nathan Waterston, who grabbed the headlines, scoring a goal in each half to help Reds progress to the next round. Marine did equalise in the second half but Nathan’s second ten minutes before time proved decisive.
2016 Stamford (home) 2-0 This was a battle between the tallest and smallest managers in the league with Derek Townsley and Graham Drury, respectively, standing near each other in the technical areas. The oldest player in the NPL was also involved in the contest with Stamford’s goalkeeper Paul Bastock (45) proving age was no barrier.
The veteran performed well but conceded a goal in each half as Reds obtained their 250th home win in the Northern Premier League. Matty Tymon and Joe McGee scored the crucial goals, described enthusiastically by John Walsh in the live commentary.
2010 Stevenage Borough (away) 1-2 Stevenage were still Stevenage Borough eleven years ago (featured) when they hosted Workington in the quarter final of the FA Trophy. It was another fantastic adventure for Reds (playing in blue on this occasion) who finished gallant losers against a Borough side second in Blue Square Premier.
Phil McLuckie scored an excellent team goal to give the underdogs a 25th minute lead to the delight of the 234 Cumbrians housed in the ‘away’ end. Stacy Long equalised ten minutes after the restart and the same player broke Reds’ hearts by netting a 94th minute winner just when everyone was contemplating a Tuesday night replay.
Goalkeeper, Tony Caig, had to be substituted due to an injury with Aaran Taylor deputising competently. There were heroes all over the pitch and none more so than Lee Andrews who was outstanding throughout.
The 1,510 crowd generated receipts of £16k with Reds share amounting to £6,700. Borough reached the final only to fall to our neighbours, Barrow, at Wembley.
1999 Bedlington Terriers (away) 0-1 Without doubt, our one and only participation in the FA Vase was our best opportunity of reaching a national final at Wembley (the old Wembley, as it was then) but it was, again, a case of gallant failure at the quarter final stage.
Well over 300 Workington supporters took the A69 to the north east and the general consensus was we deserved a draw at the very least yet had created enough chances to have won at the first attempt.
But those chances weren’t taken and Terriers’ substitute, Andy Bowes, showed how it should be done when he fired home a twenty five ‘yarder’ four minutes from the end of extra time.
Bedlington reached the final but lost to Tiverton Town at Wembley.
For Reds, it was a case of so near, yet so far.
1993 Worksop Town (home) 0-0 Paul Doolan took over as skipper for the day in a low key home clash against Worksop Town in which Lee Copeland performed well and did as much as anyone to help obtain a point.
The make-up of our squad was interesting and included: five west Cumbrians, four lads from the north east, two from Barrow and one each from Lancaster and Carlisle!
1988 Matlock Town (home) 0-2 Reds were putting their supporters through agony in a particularly depressing ’87-88 campaign and this was another inept display. Town won with ease and might have scored five or six had it not been for a brave Alan Mellen performance in goal.
1982 Southport (away) 0-0 Ten days earlier, we had won at Haig Avenue in a League Cup replay but were held to a draw when league points were at stake. Chris Acton, our goalkeeper, was happy enough with the clean sheet.
1971 Cambridge United (home) 3-1 Reds completed a Fourth Division double over the Football League’s new boys who were managed by the former Manchester City player and Workington boss, Bill Leivers.
Cambridge had replaced Bradford Park Avenue the previous summer and would finish in 20th position, Reds came to rest in 10th spot.
Scoring our goals on that February afternoon were Les Massie, Alan Tyrer and Johnny Martin.
1954 Barnsley (home) 2-0 Despite languishing in the lower half of the Third Division (North) table, and having lost 2-4 at Oakwell, Reds emerged worthy winners at Borough Park in front of an excellent 12,172 attendance. Two Scots, Ian Winters and Jimmy Dailey, scored the goals which accounted for a Barnsley team that would end the season as runners-up!
