MATCH REPORT: Ashton United 2-1 Workington AFC
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Here we are in mid-April with matters still to be resolved at both ends of the NPL Premier Division table. And in this part of the world, that means Workington is still embroiled in the battle to avoid relegation and a return to Step 4 football.
Another below par performance, and defeat by the odd goal in three, will increase the tension amongst supporters for another week at least as three more points slipped away.
This particular fixture has never produced a goalless draw but, at half time, it looked as though that was about to change as both teams meandered through a drab forty-five minutes. A few half chances at either end broke up the monotony but, generally, it was low key fare with a lack of atmosphere.
Had it stayed like that, a point would have helped Reds’ cause but, within ten minutes of the restart, Billy Barr’s side were two goals down and heading for a sixteenth league defeat.
To their credit, they did stage a late recovery but it was too little, too late and the hosts reached the fifty points mark in their quest for a mid-table finish.
Two half chances fell Reds’ way in the early stages, with Dan Hopper unable to capitalise from Matty Tymon’s intelligent lay-off, and Josh Galloway seeing an early shot blocked.
At the other end, the evergreen Sean Newton diverted a close-range effort over the bar and Alex Mitchell comfortably dealt with weak shots at goal from Mikey O’Neill and, his early replacement, Jason Gilchrist.
Workington’s concentration was broken four minutes after the break, following a disputed corner, the Cumbrians claiming the ball was already out of play before the decision was awarded in United’s favour.
And from the subsequent flag-kick, with Mitchell being manhandled, Alex Byrne scored direct from the corner.
The second goal followed soon after and Darius Osei’s persistence was rewarded when he was allowed three attempts, in quick succession, before driving the ball home through a forest of legs.
On the evidence of what we had seen, to that point in the game, it looked all over. But in the gathering gloom and torrential rain, Workington mounted a bit of diluted pressure and did find a consolation goal, which might prove important if goal difference comes into the final reckoning.
Josh Palmer had an impressive late stint, via the bench, and saw one low shot narrowly miss the target while, fellow substitute, Tom Stephenson’s angled drive was pushed away by Jordan Eastham.
Then, following a Jake Allan corner, Tymon (inset) headed home his first Workington goal in over ten years – a special moment for him and a lifeline for the team, perhaps.
Ceiran Casson’s firmly struck shot was bravely blocked and Jordan Little sent another effort narrowly wide before the referee blew for time.
Reds started and finished the day fourth from bottom and, in an ideal world, would prefer to steer themselves to safety, rather than rely on the misfortune of others.
That will all be resolved over the two remaining matches of this topsy-turvy season!
Ashton United: Eastham, Spooner, Doherty, Newton, Knight, Cogill, Byrne, Rowe (Mampala, 71), O’Neill (Gilchrist, 31), Osei (Taylor, 88), Hardy. Substitutes – Denton, Jenneh (not used).
Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Allan, Leslie, Little, Barnes, Galloway (Stephenson, 55), Carroll (McDonough, 70), Tymon, Hopper (Ellis, 55), Nugent (Palmer, 64). Substitute – Swinglehurst (not used).
Referee: Declan O’Regan, Bradford
Bookings: Byrne, Rowe (Ashton United), Allan (Workington)
Attendance: 272
