MATCH REPORT: Fulwood Amateur U23 2-0 Workington AFC U23
Reds’ long unbeaten run in the Lancashire League came to an abrupt halt under cloudy skies in Preston, as they fell to an impressive Fulwood outfit.
They were woefully below par in the first half and, although they showed great character in a much-improved second, the damage had been done.
And, on the evidence of this showing, Fulwood would be a good bet to relieve Reds of the West Division title they won so diligently last season.
They conceded twice in a one-sided first half and it would have been more had it not been for the four decent saves pulled off by Joe Rumney.
The hosts took the lead after twenty-five minutes, via the penalty spot, following a foul conceded just inside the area. Arran Beattie took the spot-kick and confidently found the net.
Zach Benson-Lester broke through soon after but just lifted his angled drive over the bar.
Amateur’s second goal came five minutes before the interval and was the result of some slick passing which culminated with Alfie Raymond slotting the ball past Rumney. A fine team goal from a Fulwood perspective.
At that point, the contest was over but the Cumbrians at least made a game of it after the break and restored face with a better display.
And home ‘keeper, Oscar Billinghurst, reduced to the role of spectator in the first half, became a prominent figure late in the game as he matched Rumney’s heroics at the other end.
He saved well to deny Ben Whitworth, Callum High, Benson-Lester and a couple of attempts from skipper, Zach Martin. The latter did get the ball in the net but his close-range header was flagged offside.
Reds netted in every game they played last term so drawing a blank on this occasion must have compounded the frustration.
Plenty to contemplate on the journey home as Fulwood emerge as the early league leaders and the question is: Is there a team good enough to replace them?
Fulwood Amateur: Billinghurst, Hodgkinson, Humphries, Baki, Sumner, Collins, Patel, Beattie, Raymond, Higham, Kane. Substitutes – Holding, Clark, Wright, Sedge-Martins, Shoebridge (all used).
Workington: Rumney, Routledge, Bell, Johnston, Pickering L, Martin, Benson-Lester, High, Brennan, Rogers, Mackay. Substitutes – Whitworth, Cueto, Gaskell (all used).
Referee: Zygimantas Lukosevicius
Bookings: Beattie, Collins (Fulwood Amateur), Martin (Workington)
