MATCH REPORT: Manchester Rose U18 6-2 Workington AFC U18

Having clinched the JPL title with a home win over Rose three weeks earlier, Reds came unstuck in the return fixture and tamely surrendered their unbeaten record.

They were a goal down inside three minutes, got themselves in front mid-way through the first half, were pegged back before the interval only to collapse in the second half.

After going behind, Reds responded well and Alfie McDonough equalised with a well taken goal after good work from Harrison Rogers.

McDonough struck again, via another confident finish, after Joe Douglas provided the assist.

At that stage, the young Reds were in control but they conceded a penalty on the stroke of half time.  The hosts converted the spot-kick and that proved the turning point of the game.

Alfie McDonough

For the first time in this hitherto amazing season, Reds suffered a collapse and conceded four goals in a disastrous twenty-minute spell.  They were second best all over the pitch but, although they did eventually get back into the game, the damage had been done and they fell to their first league defeat of the season.

A disappointed Conor Cooke said, “Maybe this is a good lesson for the team before the finals weekend at the end of the season.”

Team: Joe Rumney, Charlie White, Ryan Handford, Harrison Telford, Joe Douglas, TJ Cueto, Liam White, Ted Thomson, Harrison Rogers, Alfie McDonough, Jayden Fulton.  Substitutes – Luke Routledge, Joe Carney (both used).