MATCH REPORT: Lancaster City U23 0-3 Workington AFC U23

It was trophy time for the Reds U23s when the title winning squad was presented with the Lancashire League (Western Division) championship at Lancaster.

The League’s Barry Cropp handed over the trophy to Reds’ skipper, Zach Martin, prior to kick-off at The Giant Axe, before they maintained their 100% win record by completing a fifth league double.

They certainly didn’t have the look of champions in the opening half hour and were second best for much of the first half.  But they remained resilient when City were on top and a goal either side of the half time break swung the game in their favour.

A strong second half display paved the way to victory and, with two games to go, they will be hoping to complete the season unbeaten.

City’s Blake Wordsworth did have the ball in Workington’s net during the first half but the goal was disallowed because of an offside infringement.

And Joe Rumney, as reliable as ever, gathered a header from Ben Jackson then smothered shots from Carson Greaves and Dan Pye.

Reds took the lead, against the run of play, in the thirty-second minute after superb play from Ted Thomson.  He weaved his way past two defenders then provided the perfect pass for Leo Brennan who confidently converted from close range.

Zach Martin with the trophy

And Thomson capped a great night by scoring the second four minutes after the restart.  Oscar Pickering whipped in a teasing cross from the left and Thomson timed his run to place the ball beyond the helpless City ‘keeper, Cam Graham.

Reds were strong defensively, and kept the hosts at bay, then secured victory with a superb goal on the counter attack, in the seventy-ninth minute.

Elliot Lowrie delivered the best cross of the night from the right and Brennan met the ball and despatched it into the net in one sweet movement.  Three nil and job done!

City finished strong in the search of a consolation goal but their best effort, from Wordsworth, was tipped over the bar by Rumney.

Barry Cropp presents the trophy

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Lancaster City: Graham, Rickerby, Davis, Jackson, McDermott J, Brownlie, Greaves, Nelson, McDermott O, Pye, Wordsworth.  Substitutes – Perkin, Armstrong, Whittle, Fagan (all used).

Workington: Rumney, Routledge, Bell, Pickering L, Martin, Davidson, Tyson, Thomson, Brennan, White L, Lowrie.  Substitutes – Hambling, Handford, Pickering O, Jackson (all used).

Referee: Leigh Musgrave

Booking: Bell (Workington)