MATCH REPORT: Kirkoswald 0-5 Workington AFC

Despite making eight changes to the team that started at Hyde in their last league outing, Reds were too strong for the Westmorland League leaders and comfortably progressed to the Cumberland Cup final.

Kirkoswald included three sets of brothers in their squad and four players who were linked to Reds earlier in their respective careers.

They had their best moments either side of the interval but, their man-of-the-match was ‘keeper, Kyle Strand, who prevented a heavier defeat after pulling off half a dozen excellent saves.

His first was just a routine stop to keep out a Tom Stephenson effort whilst ex. Workington striker, Jonny Murray, was denied at the other end when Danny Eccles smothered his shot at the second attempt.

The West Cumbrians opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Josh Palmer connected sweetly with Jake Allan’s fine cross to convert confidently.

Palmer was denied on two further occasions in the first half whilst David Symington, starting his first game since November, was inches wide with a spectacular shot from distance.

Kirkoswald finished the first half the stronger and Adam Land’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line before Jake Holden’s follow-up shot hit the post.

Soon after the restart, the hosts appealed for a penalty when Charlie Barnes appeared to handle the ball but the referee saw nothing untoward.

Reds increased their lead just before the hour mark when Dan Hopper’s left-footed drive found a way through a sea of legs and finished in the net after Kirkoswald failed to clear a corner.

And it was from another well-worked corner routine that produced Workington’s third. Dan Hopper found himself in space, cut in from the right before curling in a spectacular goal from the edge of the area.

Workington’s fourth came after seventy-six minutes and it was another good finish from Palmer who nonchalantly bagged his second of the evening.

He completed an excellent night’s work, and his hat-trick, ten minutes before the end with an inspired piece of improvisation. His first header produced a superb save from Strand but he reacted quickly and guided the loose ball back into the net with an acrobatic diving header.

Josh Palmer

Teenagers TJ Cueto and Alfie McDonough caught the eye in the later stages as did Workington’s assistant manager, Lee Andrews, who made a brief comeback at the age of 42!

He assured anyone that would listen that he was the only player on the pitch to have both Cumberland and Devon Cup winners’ medals amongst his mementos!

Workington will play Carlisle City in the final towards the end of April.

Kirkoswald: Strand, Broadhead, Land A, Land H, Winspear, Prokas, Ryan Simpson, Holden, Renwick N, Murray, Gate. Substitutes – Renwick B, Bell, Cham, Reece Simpson, MaCanney (all used).

Workington: Eccles, Casson, Leslie, Little, Barnes, Allan, Galloway, Cueto, Palmer, Stephenson, Symington. Substitutes – Dickinson, Hopper, McDonough, McLindon, Andrews (all used).

Referee: Dan Forbes, Carlisle

Bookings: Renwick N, Bell (Kirkoswald), Barnes (Workington)

Attendance: 298