MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 0-1 Guiseley AFC

If Guiseley could have hand-picked a fixture to kick-start their season, I’m sure they would have opted for Workington.  They have pieced together an impressive record against the Cumbrians over the years and Borough Park has proved a happy hunting ground in the past.

And, sure enough, their first league win since September came at Workington’s expense with one goal proving sufficient to secure  a much needed victory.

The first half winner, scruffy to say the least, also halted the mini revival Workington had put together over the last three games.

In a game played in mud-bath conditions, Guiseley recorded their eighth win in West Cumbria thanks to a scrappy goal just before half-time.  Will Longbottom possesses one of the sweetest left foots in the Northern Premier League and his corner evaded yellow and red shirts alike as it bounced towards goal, before Jack Emmett, possibly, got the final touch.

It summed up a game bereft of quality in testing conditions which became a war of attrition.  Guiseley were physically stronger and adapted to the conditions better than the hosts.

To their credit, Reds gave it everything and there was no doubting the effort and commitment but, sometimes, that isn’t enough and they rarely threatened to grab an equaliser.  

They forced eight corners but there was little variety to the set piece routines and Guiseley delt with the diluted pressure.

Towards the end of a tiring shift, Hayden Atkinson sent his header directly into Joe Cracknell’s hands whilst Tyler Magloire saw the ball land on the top of the net after an unusual attempt at goal.

Billy Barr was disappointed with the outcome but gave an honest appraisal of the situation.

“We let them come here, pick our pockets and head for home with three valuable points and

I think they just had the edge over us throughout,” he said.

Workington: Mitchell, Atkinson, Leslie (Barnes, 61), Casson (McGladdery, 61), Little, Magloire, Stephenson, Ellis (Hopper D, 71), Rigg, Nugent, McCaragher (Palmer, 86).  Substitute – Swinglehurst (not used).

Guiseley: Cracknell, Odunston, Ferguson, Mbeka, Goodman, Brown, Hopper H, Emmett, Thewlis, Longbottom (Knight, 78), Berchil (Silva, 72).  Substitutes – Hudson, Rushworth, Booth (not used).

Referee: Dale Wilson, Leyland

Bookings: Leslie, Rigg, McGladdery (Workington), Brown (Guiseley)

Attendance: 694