MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 0-1 Redcar Athletic
- 50 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Do we scold Reds for not seeing out the game at the eleventh hour (probably) or do we praise Redcar for their winning mentality (definitely)?
Either way, this was another occasion where Reds were punished by a late, late goal on an occasion when they started poorly, gradually grew into the game only then to throw it all away with a couple of poor defensive decisions.
The historic first Northern Premier League fixture at the Fibrus Community Stadium certainly won’t live in the memory as a classic, but it was another special night for the club.
A bumper attendance turned out to welcome Workington to their new temporary home, it was the start of a new season and the mood amongst the Reds’ faithful was a mixture of guarded optimism and realism.
Had we obtained the point we just about deserved, we would have all gone home happy, or reasonably so. Instead, though, we are playing catch-up……after just two games!
Two defeats to the start the season is nothing new but a reminder that life at Step 3 didn’t become any easier over the summer months.
It didn’t get off to the best of starts with Luke Ellis sustaining a burst nose after an accidental collision, just three minutes in. If you thought, then, this wasn’t going to be our night, you were probably right.
We then enjoyed a bit of good fortune when a wayward defensive header hit Alex Mitchell’s crossbar when the ball could have dropped into the net for an own-goal.
Yet, without playing well, we stayed in the game and free-scoring Redcar’s threat was nullified. And Reds actually carved out two decent chances and could have finished the half with an opening goal to their credit.
Charlie Barnes, the early replacement for the blooded Ellis, delivered a fine diagonal ball into Brennan Dickenson’s path and the new recruit kept his composure but sent his shot just a foot wide of the far post.
Dickenson then turned provider, just before the interval, and a great passage of play saw him deliver a sublime chip into the danger area where the diving Matty Douglas headed straight into Josh Mazfari’s midriff.
Athletic’s passing and possession was superior in the first half but clear-cut chances were few. Louis Johnson did test Mitchell with one effort from distance but, generally, their renowned attack lacked a cutting edge.
And that was evident in the second half when Luke Spalding shot wide when it looked easier to score.
Kai Nugent claimed the first yellow card in our new surroundings but then became the first player to be sent off when he picked up a second yellow, six minutes later. The second foul was, at best, innocuous but he had got away with more serious offences earlier.
But the dismissal galvanised Reds and they continued to play well for the final twenty minutes of normal time.
Indeed, soon after Nugent’s unfortunate departure, Reds went close to netting a spectacular first goal at the Fibrus. Luke Hunter got away down the left, cut inside and rattled the angle of crossbar and upright with a stunning strike.
What a story that would have been.
But we made it to ninety minutes, and still had a clean sheet after the five minutes of added time.
Then in the ninety-sixth minute, Brad Fewster, introduced to the game two minutes earlier, cashed in on some sloppy defending, to slot home the winner.
A tough one to take for the Workington players and supporters but late celebration for the Teessiders and, perhaps, a touch of relief too.
Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Leslie, Whitehall, Douglas, Dickinson, Stephenson (Allan, 72), Ellis (Barnes, 4), Dickenson, Nugent, Hunter. Substitutes – Rigby, Palmer, Thomson (not used).
Redcar Athletic: Mazfari, Guru, Banks, Bartliff (Fewster, 90), Rowe, Lay, Spalding (Hawkins, 73), Fletcher, Boyes (Ardelean, 67), Burns (Round, 86), Johnson. Substitute – Smith (not used).
Referee: Nat Cox
Bookings: Nugent, Dickenson (Workington), Bartliff, Lay, Fletcher (Redcar Athletic)
Red card: Nugent (Workington), two yellows
Attendance: 841
