MATCH REPORT: Gretna 2008 3-2 Workington Dev U23

For a second successive week, the young Reds came unstuck at Raydale Park but, unlike the U18s, the Reds Development squad almost salvaged something from a game they dominated for long periods.

They found themselves three down at the break, a situation brought about by some sloppy defending at one end and poor finishing at the other. Their play between the two boxes was impressive and it was harsh they found themselves in arrears at the interval.

But credit to Gretna, they were good on the counter attack and converted chances when Reds looked vulnerable defending set pieces.

Oscar Bell opened the scoring when he reacted quickest to a free-kick partially saved by Joe Rumney, tapping home the rebound from close range after eight minutes.

And the same player doubled the home side’s lead, after thirty-four minutes, when a Gretna corner caused uncertainty in the area and Bell was allowed to turn and finish in one swift movement.

It got worse when Gretna netted a third, Fin Cookson punishing more hesitancy in the box to get his name on the score sheet.

Workington were far more efficient after the break and dominated much of the second half. They defended better, moved the ball about quicker and always looked a threat going forward.

Josh Palmer had been thwarted by the Gretna ‘keeper on two occasions previously but reduced the deficit eleven minutes after the restart.

Play was stopped to accommodate the usual raft of substitutions and Workington had twelve players on the pitch, momentarily, when the game resumed – an accidental case of ‘four on but only three off’!

Reds continued to impress and it was the home side having to show their defensive qualities.

They scored the fifth goal of the evening two minutes before the end when Joe Carney found the net with a crisp low shot.

It was too late to alter the outcome and Gretna came out on top by the odd goal in five.

Team: Rumney, Roberts, Bell, Telford, Johnston, White L, Douglas, Cueto, Lowrie, Palmer, Fulton. Substitutes – Whitworth, Thomson, French, Bewsher-Canon, Carney, Rogers (all used).