MATCH REPORT: Bamber Bridge 1-2 Workington AFC

For the second time this year, Reds scored a late winner at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium to secure their first win of the season.

But whilst last season’s success was more of a ‘smash and grab’ raid, Workington emerged worthy winners on this occasion in a performance packed with grit, determination and character.

‘Brig were not themselves and seemed caught betwixt their normal passing game and going a bit more direct and appeared to be outbattled by Darren Edmondson’s side.

With Casson, Nugent and Atkinson all unavailable and Reid and Dawson having returned to Holker Old Boys, the match-day squad picked itself. The hosts included former Reds, Kofi Moore and Jamie Allen, in their starting XI.

Skipper David Symington, unusually wearing the number 10 shirt, was the first player to try his luck at goal but one of his trademark free kicks from the edge of the area was pushed away to safety by home ‘keeper, Aidan Dowling.

The Whites responded with a free kick of their own although Alex Mitchell read Lewis Hey’s intentions and gathered the ball comfortably.

Ewan Bange got away from Steven Swinglehurst but his rising shot just cleared the bar by inches before Symington was involved, again, at the other end.

A cheeky ‘forty-five yarder’ sailed over the bar when Dowling had wandered off his line but the latter then smothered a weak, left foot effort from the Reds’ talisman.

Play continued to ebb and flow and, following a well-worked corner routine, Chris Churchman’s effort was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Mitchell.

Swinglehurst epitomised the character in those lime green shirts with a brave block to thwart Emerich Poilly.

Just before the interval, Aran Fitzpatrick ventured forward and, after a playing a neat one-two with Luke Ellis, saw his low shot gathered by Dowling.

Workington resumed the second half in similar fashion to the way they had started the first with Symington and Dowling resuming their personal duel. And, again, it was the goalkeeper who ‘won’ saving another well struck free-kick from twenty yards range.

The skipper deserved a goal and it looked as though it had arrived on the hour mark following the pass of the match from Ellis. His sublime assist split the ‘Brig rearguard and released Symington then, not only did he steer the ball past the advancing Dowling, but wide of the vacant net too!

Reds did go in front after sixty-five minutes with Dowling at fault for venturing too far off his line. The ball fell to Ellis and he looped the ball into the net for his second goal of the season.

At that point, Reds looked comfortable and that elusive first clean sheet of the season looked feasible. Alas it wasn’t to be.

Reds momentarily lost their concentration for one of the few times in the game and were punished when the hosts levelled matters after seventy-nine minutes. Bange broke clear and lifted the ball over Mitchell and into the net.

Bamber Bridge, for the first time, asserted a bit of pressure and Reds lost their poise and picked up three yellow cards in quick succession.

But they remained resilient and one hard fought point became three of the priceless variety with a winner three minutes into the seven added.

Symington’s corner caused the confusion and Swinglehurst got the final touch to end that painful run of eight consecutive defeats on the road.

More importantly, the three points lifted Reds off the foot of the table for the time being, at least!

Bamber Bridge: Dowling, Abankwah, Hey, Baxter, Knight-Percival, Bailey, Allen, Churchman, Moore, Bange, Poilly. Substitutes – Scarborough, Potts, Grand, Modi and Bould (all used).

Workington: Mitchell, Barnes, Leslie (Stephenson, 79), Swinglehurst, Dickinson, Fitzpatrick (Little, 79), McGladdery (Bell, 87), Ellis (Deans, 70), Rigg, Symington (Park, 89), Galloway.

Referee: Abid Hussain, Bolton

Bookings: Fitzpatrick, Barnes, Galloway, Stephenson (Workington)

Attendance: 510