MATCH REPORT: Prescot Cables 1-1 Workington AFC

Workington have never lost in sixteen league meetings against Cables but it felt like a defeat when they conceded another late goal and had to settle for just the one point when, undoubtedly, they deserved all three.

If games had concluded after eighty-five minutes, Reds would be fourteen points better off than they are now whilst, in contrast, they have won just once with a stoppage time goal.

But their ‘Achilles heel’ was exposed once again and Bradley Moonan drove home Cables’ eighty-eighth minute equaliser to highlight what is becoming a regular occurrence.

Prescot’s late flurry apart, Reds had controlled much of the game and looked on course for that first win in twelve outings, after going in front after just five minutes.  But numerous chances to get that all important second goal were squandered and credit to the hosts for stealing a point when, by their own admission, they were second best for so long.

Reds will point to the two occasions that Steven Rigg had the ball in the net only to be flagged offside each time, but they also have to reflect when poor decisions were made in the final third and there was no end product to promising situations.  Time and again, they got behind enemy lines but poor deliveries from the flanks proved costly.

Their early goal after five minutes set the tone for another confident away day performance, five draws from the last six games on the road, which earned the plaudits but, ultimately, not maximum points.

Rigg and Ceiran Casson combined well down the right and, for once, the low cross into the box was met and confidently converted by Daniel Ogwuru, his first Workington goal.

Strikers thrive on such moments and his time with the club could be so important on the evidence of this vibrant display.  He linked well with Rigg and also took some of the workload off the skipper’s shoulders.

Daniel Ogwuru

Kai Nugent had an attempt on target via a free-kick but not enough venom in the strike to trouble Connor Edwards in the home goal.

Cables’ first sortie forward saw ex. Reds’ man, Sharif Deans, attempt a decent shot on goal but the ball was spectacularly cleared off the line by Keelan Leslie as it looped towards the net.

Ogwuru was leading the line well, and a focal point of some promising attacks, but he was also denied a second goal when a firm strike was gathered by Edwards.

Nugent almost capitalised on a stray pass from Charley Doyle but he couldn’t take advantage of the situation and crashed the ball into the side netting.

Prescot had lost centre forward, John Murphy, in the warm-up and their blunt attack wasn’t making any impression on Reds’ solid back four.

A rare opportunity fell to Tom Scully but he lacked composure and sent his shot high over the bar.

Rigg twice had the ball in the net at the other end but neither counted after the intervention of the assistant referee, who looked slightly behind play for one of the decisions.

And in between, the impressive Ogwuru started and finished a move when he headed wide and a goal then would have secured those points.

However, we all know the script and once it gets to a quarter-to-five, hitherto calmness and composure deserts us and matters become a little uncomfortable.

Prescot, for the first time in the game, were applying pressure on Reds and a few corners in their favour changed the mood amongst the home supporters.

And sure enough, a loose ball fell conveniently for defender Moonan and he rifled home the 88^th minute leveller from eight yards.

Reds have lost in similar situations this season but they did respond well after the goal and finished on the offensive.

But it ended all square and the League’s two draw specialists replicated the Borough Park result from earlier in the season. 

Prescot Cables: Edwards, Hogan (Smith, 46), Devine, Moonan, McNally, Doyle (Tunstall, 69), Goodwin, Scully (Glennon, 81), Foley, Donaldson, Deans.  Substitute – Murphy (not used).

Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Leslie, Ellis, Little, Dickinson, Galloway, Carroll, Rigg, Ogwuru, Nugent (McDonough, 81).  Substitutes – Allan, Hopper, Palmer and Eccles (not used).

Referee: Jack Lambert

Bookings: Doyle, Tunstall (Prescot Cables), Ellis, Little (Workington)

Attendance: 717