MATCH REPORT: Guiseley AFC 1-1 Workington AFC
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
It’s as you were at the foot of the NPL Premier Division, with the bottom six clubs all collecting a point and Reds remaining at the foot of the table by virtue of Morpeth Town’s late equaliser at Stocksbridge.
Workington arguably had the toughest task, with their game at Nethermoor, but extended the unbeaten run to six games with a battling performance.
What they lacked in flair, creativity, guile and, at times, cohesion they compensated with an abundance of grit, determination and character in a robust encounter in Yorkshire.
Having lost on their five previous visits, this point has to be looked upon as a bonus but the draw will count for nothing if they fail to follow-up with a good performance in next week’s important showdown versus Stocksbridge.
They might have gone behind early in this game but Alex Mitchell denied Jack Emmett with a fine reflex save.
But, in their first meaningful attack, Reds did take the lead after six minutes. There didn’t appear to be any danger when Steven Rigg hooked the ball goalwards but, whilst the Guiseley defence hesitated, Dan Hopper reacted smartly to convert at the far post.
And, soon after, the ‘all Cumbrian XI’ almost doubled their lead when Jake Allan saw a firmly struck shot blocked.
Jordan Thewlis then broke clear but lifted the ball over Mitchell, and the crossbar, and there was more drama in Guiesley’s next sortie forward. Jordan Little was adjudged to have tripped Emmett and the referee pointed to the spot.
Thewlis took the penalty but Mitchell dived to his left to smother a rather weak shot.
Emmett was involved again and his shot was parried by Mitchell with Thewlis flagged offside as he netted the loose ball.
It had been an eventful start, yet despite the early goal, Reds were second best for a spell and their new-found resilience stood them in good stead.
They were defending better but possession and retention of the ball was poor.
Hopper had a half chance to score his second of the afternoon, soon after the restart, but he delayed his shot momentarily and the opportunity was gone.
Guiseley were awarded a second penalty, just before the hour mark, with Little again punished for an apparent foul on Elliot Owen. Thewlis, despite his first half woe, had the bottle to step up and take the spot kick, making no mistake with his second attempt.
The contest remained even from that point, Guiseley continued to move the ball about better but a determined Workington were in no mood to surrender.
Mitchell made a double save to thwart Thewlis but he was adjudged to be off side for the second effort anyway.
Rigg, playing his final game of the season before surgery, was narrowly wide via a free kick from the edge of the area but slipped whilst connecting with the ball.
And a late chance fell to Tom Stephenson who met a decent cross from Josh Galloway but could only direct a header high over the bar.
Reds were below the levels produced in recent weeks but considering the situation regarding Rigg and Symington, plus Messrs Allan, Leslie and Stephenson featuring again after spells out with injury, this valuable point might prove even more priceless by the end of April.
Guiseley: Cracknell, Odunston, White, Mbeka, Owen, Hudson (Silva, 73), Hopper H (Lawlor, 84), Brown, Thewlis, Emmett (Lufudu, 63), Berchil. Substitutes – Booth, Goodman (not used).
Workington: Mitchell, Allan (Leslie, 88), Dickinson, Whitehall, Little, Swinglehurst, Hopper D (Symington, 74), Carroll, Hunter (Palmer, 90), Rigg (Galloway, 74), Ellis (Stephenson, 79).
Referee: Luke Watson
Bookings: Mitchell, Carroll, Rigg (Workington)
Attendance: 753
