MATCH PREVIEW: East v. West in Cumberland Cup semi

Reds will take a break from the pressure of relegation worries on Tuesday when they head for Frenchfield, Penrith to take on Kirkoswald in the Cumberland Cup semi-final (7.45pm).

Frenchfield, Penrith

Reds will again field a makeshift side in the competition with some 18s and 23s mixing with the seniors.  Lee Andrews will be in charge of team affairs as Billy Barr may be scouting elsewhere. 

The Westmorland League leaders used Frenchfield for their victory over Carlisle United in the previous round and will have good support again for the second semi, with Carlisle City awaiting the eventual winners in the final.

They have had an impressive run in this season’s competition overcoming Silloth   (7-1) and Fellside United (3-1) before the excellent 2-1 victory over Carlisle United.  Ryan Bell and Niall Renwick scored the all-important goals against the young Blues to secure their passage into the last four.

Several members of the KO squad have Workington connections with Jonny Murray, Cam Prokas, Liam Studholme and Lamin Cham perhaps the best known.

Indeed, the last time we met Kirkoswald in the competition (2015-16), Liam Studholme was a member of the Reds’ squad.  That game, played at Kirkoswald’s excellent Old Showfield ground, resulted in a 7-1 Workington victory with Rob McCartney (2), Gareth Arnison, Scott Allison, Matty Tymon and Kingsley Grandison amongst the goals for us and Lamin Cham netting KO’s consolation.

Lee Andrews was in charge of Reds that day, too.

The Cumberland Cup Final will be played towards the end of April on a date and venue to be confirmed.