MATCH REPORT: Eden Valley 0-4 Workington AFC

A young Reds team eased into the Third Round of the Cumberland Cup but were far from convincing in what was a first ever meeting between the clubs.

They were well below par and, although they won comfortably enough, it was Eden Valley who probably came out of the game with most credit.

The lowly-ranked Westmorland League side gave their supporters a night to remember as they stuck to the task, and the only thing lacking from their perspective was a consolation goal.

It was a no-win situation for Reds.  They were expected to win and win well but they laboured at times and most of their problems were self-inflicted.

They opened the scoring after six minutes when Louis Jacobs broke through and confidently slotted past Llewellyn Gibbs.

But green-shirted Eden responded well and Dylan Simpson forced Scott Paden-Gale into a save at the other end.

It was Gibbs who emerged the busier ‘keeper, though, and he seemed to be enjoying the occasion, saving well to thwart Dan Hopper and Keane Devoy.

And when Workington doubled their lead after twenty-two minutes, it seemed as though we were heading for a high-scoring game.  Freddie Glendinning ventured forward and a burst of pace took him clear in the area before a firmly hit shot left Gibbs helpless.

Gibbs was retrieving the ball from his net for a third time seven minutes before the interval, after Hopper’s superb left-footed strike from the edge of the box flew past him.

The West Cumbrians added a fourth two minutes after the restart when Valley hesitated, allowing Devoy an easy passage to goal and he duly guided the ball into the net.

It was effectively game over at that point, had it not been earlier, and the visitors play became sloppy.

Jamie Clague had a decent shot from distance saved by the Reds’ ‘keeper and then the busy Ryan Yates caught the eye.  The latter forced Paden-Gale into the save of the match and his follow-up effort was also blocked.

And it was Yates who squandered another opportunity, after dragging an effort wide from a good position in front of goal.

The match was played in good spirit and the referee didn’t have any serious incidents to deal with.

Eden Valley: Llewellyn, Kerr, Sullivan, Skelton, Jacques, Bateman, Yates, Scott, Simpson, Clague, Whalley.  Substitutes – Allinson, Clack, Jackson, Harrison, Bolarinwa (all used).

Workington: Paden-Gale, Gaskell (Dixon, 60), Glendinning, Thomson, Cannon, Routledge, Douglas (Tyer, 51), Cueto TJ (Whitworth, 60), Devoy (Bailey, 51), Hopper, Jacobs.

Referee: Michael Studholme

Attendance: 96