MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 0-1 Ashton United
No arguments about the outcome of this one with Ashton United deserving of their first league win since August.
They controlled the first half with an efficient display and, when Workington improved slightly in the second half, were able to cope defensively without any major concerns.
It left the two managers in contrasting moods at the final whistle.
Billy Barr was angry and frustrated with his side’s failure whilst opposite number, the amiable Steve Cunningham, admitted his relief after Ashton’s barren run.
Workington’s first sorties into enemy territory saw Steven Rigg fail to connect properly with one opportunity and then a neatly worked free-kick routine culminated in skipper-for-the-day, Isaac Whitehall, sending the ball into the side netting.
But Ashton were soon moving smoothly and looked a far better unit than their lowly league position would suggest. They scored what proved to be the match winner in the eighteenth minute with a well-worked goal.
The lively Enock Lusiama appeared to get the final touch from close range, after good work from Alex Byrne on the right. It was enough to secure a seventh win in West Cumbria, their first at the Fibrus Community Stadium.
Workington rarely looked like scoring in a first half in which they were very much second best.
They upped the tempo after the restart and were much improved, although there was no cutting edge in front of goal.
Chances were created but nothing that seriously threatened Tommy Taylor & Co.
Tom Stephenson, after his delightful Gigg Lane cameo, did create a good chance for Ceiran Casson but, with a defender sliding in, ‘CC’ stubbed the ball wide.
And Stephenson, Luke Hunter and Whitehall all missed the target when presented with reasonable opportunities in front of goal.
Reds on loan ‘keeper, Alfie Scales, saved well to keep out Kurt Willoughby’s first half shot on the turn then thwarted Byrne, following the best of United’s second half attempts.
There was plenty of huff and puff from the hosts but not enough to blow Ashton’s grey and yellow house down.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday at Hurst Cross, in the FA Trophy, and, on the evidence of this showing, Ashton will probably start the Second Round tie as slight favourites.
Workington: Scales, Casson (Thomson, 90), Fairclough, Whitehall, Barnes, Martin (Grayson, 70), Stephenson, Rigby (Hopper, 83), Rigg (Jacobs, 70), Ellis (Leslie, 61), Hunter.
Ashton United: Taylor, Okome, Kendall, Nelson, Naylor, Knight, Byrne, Burgess, Willoughby (Doro, 75), Lusiama (Whaite, 83), Hardy (Scanlon, 88). Substitutes – O’Neill and Leigh (not used).
Referee: Alex Beckett, Blackpool
Bookings: Ellis (Workington), Nelson, Naylor, Hardy, Lusiama (Ashton United)
Attendance: 943
