MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 1-1 Ashton United

There was a collective sigh of relief from the Workington faithful after this one as Reds’ battled their way to a hard-fought draw.

And in obtaining their first point of the campaign, they avoided creating that bit of unwanted history of five successive defeats at the onset of a new season.

It was a nervous start from the hosts but they grew more into the contest as the first half elapsed. Chances from either side were few and far between, however Reds were spending quite a bit of time in the attacking third of the pitch.

After one promising build-up and some quick incisive passing, Reds fashioned a chance but Charlie Barnes lacked composure and sent the ball over the bar.

Ashton’s first opportunity fell to Willem Tomlinson but his low shot from the edge of the box was kept out by Alex Mitchell’s full-length dive to his right. The ‘keeper was unable to gather the ball and Darius Osei pounced to convert the rebound.

Fortunately, from a Workington perspective, Osei was flagged offside and the ‘goal’ was disallowed.

And having experienced very little good luck in the opening weeks, Workington benefitted from a second slice of good fortune just before the interval.

They were awarded a penalty when Sam Baird dragged Jack Dickinson down following a Kai Nugent corner. Steven Rigg took the spot-kick but saw his weak shot saved by Jordan Eastham.

The referee ordered a re-take for encroachment and Rigg converted at the second time of asking.

Baird almost atoned for conceding the penalty with a shot soon after the restart but Mitchell saved without too much concern.

But Reds had to show some resilience as Ashton looked more potent after the break. In one passage of play, the returning Jordan Little made three clearances in quick succession.

And Bradley Taylor just failed to convert another Ashton chance at the far post.

At the other end, Josh Galloway’s goal-bound shot was blocked and the lively Kai Nugent saw his effort go wide after a neat one-two with Ceiran Casson created the opening.

Workington conceded their twelfth goal of the season with twenty minutes to go and it was United substitute, Luca Navarro who equalised.

Mitchell then saved well to keep out Louis White’s deflected free-kick and the home supporters might have feared a collapse at that point.

But Workington actually finished the stronger although a flurry of corners could not be converted into clear-cut chances.

Sharif Deans and James Bell made decent contributions after being introduced from the bench but that first win remains elusive.

Reds remain at the foot of the table but, on the evidence of this performance, it shouldn’t be too long before they climb a few rungs of the ladder!

Workington: Mitchell, Barnes, Atkinson, Casson, Dickinson, Little (Swinglehurst, 73), Symington, Ellis (Bell, 76), Rigg, Nugent (Deans, 81), Galloway. Substitutes – Reid, Park (not used).

Ashton United: Eastham, Burke, Doherty, Newton, White, Baird, Byrne (Navaro,59), Tomlinson, Taylor (Denton, 67), Osei, Efunnuga (Rutherford, 59). Substitutes – O’Neill, Gilchrist (not used).

Referee: Sam Ross

Bookings: Barnes, Ellis, Rigg (Workington), Osei, Newton (Ashton United)

Attendance: 722

📷 Gary McKeating