MATCH REPORT: Lancaster City 0-3 Workington AFC
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
A fourth successive win for Billy Barr’s outfit, and all against teams they didn’t get the better of last season.
And this convincing victory at the Giant Axe was probably Reds’ most complete performance to date. They were the dominant force in each half, defended well and deserved their first clean sheet of the season, converting three of numerous chances created in the process..
City were dealt an early blow when Reds opened the scoring but their misfortune was compounded before half time when they lost two players to injury. Seeing Sekouba Sanogo stretchered off was the low point of an entertaining first half but his departure was quickly followed by a second substitution when Toby Oliver hobbled off.
Did those two early substitutions prove the turning point of the game? It certainly won’t have helped City’s cause but Workington were well into their stride by then, having made a confident start.
The in-form Luke Hunter had gone close with two headed attempts before the number 11 but did open the scoring in the eleventh minute. Tom Stephenson’s attempted shot from the right turned out to be an inch-perfect assist for Hunter who sent the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Brennan Dickenson had two chances to score but he scuffed his first attempt and his second, a well struck effort, just drifted wide of the target.
And Tom Stephenson, who looked lively throughout, was through on goal only to have his shot pushed away by Brad Kelly.
Dickenson had two further efforts saved before the interval and Stephenson’s spectacular overhead kick was also kept out by Kelly.
City created several half chances but a combination of poor finishing and competent defending was tinkering with their confidence.
Their best effort in the first half came via a free-kick conceded by Charlie Barnes on James Bailey. Alfie Cunningham chose to go for goal with Alex Mitchell scooping the ball over the bar, an unorthodox safe but vital at that point of the game.
When Mitchell was called upon again it was to keep out a Charlie Bailey snap-shot.
Reds were soon on the attack after the interval but Matty Douglas’ header struck the crossbar before the ball was scrambled to safety.
The Cumbrians most recent win in the county town was on Boxing Day, 2018. Current assistant manager, Lee Andrews, was Reds boss at the time with Mark Fell in charge of the Dolly Blues.
But they were well on the way to victory after doubling their lead on the hour mark. Kai Nugent’s free kick was delivered from the corner flag area and Brad Carroll’s deft header found a way past a cluster of players and into the net.
Carroll was replaced by Alfie McDonough and the latter, released through the middle with a defence splitting pass, dragged a good chance wide with his first involvement in the game.
City responded with a couple of rare sorties into Workington territory but lacked that cutting edge and, ultimately, failed to score for the first time this season.
Whilst pushing forward in search of a consolation goal, City were caught on the counter and conceded a third. Hunter broke clear down the left and with defenders noticeably missing, his square pass across the face of goal invited Dan Hopper to get his name on the scoresheet…..and he did!
It secured a first win on the ground for eight years, lifting Reds into the top half of the table, before the scheduled break from league action this weekend.
Reds will switch their attention to the FA Cup next, hoping to embark on a rare, extended run in the competition.
Lancaster City: Kelly, Bailey S, Sanogo (Bailey C, 27), Moonan B, Oliver (Amison, 35), Moonan D, Cunningham (Thompson, 62), Craig, Bailey C, Caine (Nolan, 62), Lawson (Bailey A, 85).
Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Nugent, Whitehall, Douglas, Barnes, Stephenson (Hopper, 78), Carroll (McDonough, 82), Dickenson (Grayson, 72), Rigby, Hunter (Palmer, 86). Substitute – Thomson (not used).
Referee: Dale Wilson, Leyland
Bookings: Whitehall, Barnes (Workington)
Red card: Nolan (Lancaster City)
Attendance: 920
