MATCH PREVIEW: Struggling neighbours seek cup respite

Workington and Whitehaven will be hoping to put their poor league form to one side when they launch this season’s Cumberland Cup campaign at Borough Park on Wednesday (7.45pm).

The two have been paired together for the eleventh time, in three decades, since the lower ranked club rebranded as Whitehaven. It is a repeat of the Second Round tie twelve months ago when Whitehaven won 4-3 on penalties after the sides had played out a 3-3 draw at Borough Park.

Last year, Reds recovered from 0-2 and 2-3 to force the draw but then lost after fourteen penalties!

McCarron, Grewal and Johnston shared the goals for Reds with Tidy, Smith and Goulding responding for Haven, before Keenan Mackay converted the decisive penalty.

It then came to light that Haven had fielded an ineligible player and were subsequently removed from the competition. That led to a bizarre situation when Reds were knocked out of the competition for a second time when we lost to the eventual winners, Carlisle City, in the next round!

Both clubs are in the process of searching for a new manager following the recent departures of Darren Edmondson and Jon Karl Benson.

Brian Dawson and Billy Redden will be in charge of Reds on Wednesday and they will be able to call upon David Symington and Charlie Barnes. Both are currently serving three match league suspensions but will be allowed to play in the County Cup encounter.

Reds are rooted the foot of the NPL Premier Division with just one win to their credit whilst Whitehaven are currently next to bottom in the Premier Division of the West Lancashire League, also with just one league win under their belt.

Haven, who lost 7-1 at Eagley at the weekend, are now in their tenth season as members of the West Lancashire League where they have found life tough. Including the two Covid interrupted seasons, they have finished bottom on three occasions and have yet to finish in the top half of the table.

A number of players have served both clubs over the years with Joe Carney the latest added to the list. Joe netted Haven’s consolation goal on Saturday having scored several times in red already this term for our U18s.

Match officials: Leigh Musgrave (referee), Ryan Woods and Stephen Donald (assistant referees).