MATCH REPORT: Gainsborough Trinity 3-3 Workington AFC
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Reds’ bewildering season took another dramatic twist in Lincolnshire. They avoided the late, late drama that has plagued their season, which has seen fourteen points dropped from the eighty-fifth minute onwards.
Instead, it was brief spell of madness when they lost their composure between the seventieth and eightieth minutes, allowing Trinity to play their ‘get-out-of jail’ card. From a position of strength, a 3-0 advantage, Workington’s soft under belly surfaced and two more priceless points were dropped as Trinity hit back with goals after 70, 74 and 78 minutes.
Had they lost from that situation it would have caused lasting damage, although it was yet another chapter of achieving so much from a game yet obtaining so little.
And even that topsy-turvy match should have had last minute drama when Luke Ellis, through on goal, was impeded and denied the opportunity to grab the winner but the referee opted not to give what seemed a clear, obvious penalty.
The referee had a decent afternoon, got the majority of his decisions right but somehow missed Ashley Jackson’s foul on Ellis.
Trinity made a bright start and a short corner routine created a chance for Lewis Butroid. His angled drive was just about on target and skimmed the crossbar on its way out of play.
But Reds were soon into their stride and Luke Hunter’s first involvement won a corner at the other end. The former Penrith marksmen had played for Reds in a friendly a few years ago but this was his NPL debut following his loan move from AFC Fylde.
He and Daniel Ogwuru linked up well together in what, potentially, could become a crucial double-prong attack.
Ogwuru has impressed in his brief spell to date and enhanced his reputation even further after opening the scoring in the fourteenth minute. Ellis provided the assist and Ogwuru sent a shot from outside the box beyond David Robson and into the net via the foot of the post.
Seven minutes later, Reds were in dreamland after doubling their advantage with another cracking goal. Kai Nugent received the ball down the inside left channel, killed the ball with a good first touch before despatching it into the net with an instinctive low drive.
A stunned Trinity responded, finished the half strongly and both Keelan Leslie and Brad Carroll were called upon to make dramatic goal line clearances, whilst Sisa Tuntulwana and Jackson were off target with two other efforts.
Frank Mulhern should have done better with a good chance soon after the restart but his shot came to rest in the side netting. However, the experienced frontman would have a say in the outcome, eventually.
It was Workington who got the third goal of the afternoon just after the hour mark. The outstanding Ellis created the opening with a fine pass through to Hunter and the latter attempted to take the ball round Robson before being upended by the Gainsborough ‘keeper.
The referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot and Ogwuru took responsibility and confidently converted the penalty. A three-goal advantage is unchartered waters for Reds but, like they have with one and two goal leads, they let anxiety creep in.
Alex Mitchell made a good point-blank save, another effort was blocked but Trinity skipper, Butroid, drove home at the third attempt and the hosts were back in the game with twenty minutes remaining.
And, four minutes later, it was definitely game on when Mulhern’s shot took a wicked deflection off Jack Dickinson, wrong-footed Mitchell and finished in the net.
The inevitable equaliser came via the second spot-kick of the afternoon with Carroll adjudged to have fouled Butroid. Mulhern converted to restore parity.
Most people would have backed the hosts to go on and win at that point, but Reds did show a bit of character not to let that happen.
They managed the last ten minutes better than Gainsborough’s purple-patch period, but squandering what should have been an unassailable lead and not being awarded a second spot-kick provided much food for thought on the long journey home!
Gainsborough Trinity: Robson, McLoughlin (Margetts, 53), Jackson, Offler (Brown, 53), Leckie, Hornshaw, Butroid, Helliwell, Tuntulwana (Williams, 82), Mulhern, Clarke (Beedon, 53). Substitute – Preston (not used).
Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Leslie (Barnes, 83), Ellis, Little, Dickinson, Galloway (Hopper, 64), Carroll, Hunter (Rigg, 83), Ogwuru (Palmer, 86), Nugent. Substitute – Eccles (not used).
Referee: Luke Hood, Leeds
Bookings: Ellis and Rigg (Workington)
Attendance: 643
