MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 1-1 Cleethorpes Town
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 10
A priceless goal from Dan Hopper towards the end of a bizarre game kept Workington’s survival hopes alive, as the fight to avoid the drop intensifies.
Hopper’s sixth league goal, of a productive loan stint, became even more significant when it transpired that relegation rivals Hyde United, Morpeth Town and Rushall Olympic all obtained important victories.
But this Premier Division encounter between the lowly Cumbrians and play-off chasing Town didn’t start too well for the hosts.
Hoping to make amends after a poor showing on Saturday, Reds were behind after just five minutes in front of the best home attendance of the season.
Jordan Little was deceived by an awkward bounce of the ball on the halfway line, and was outpaced by Town’s Max Wright. The latter then passed inside to Josh Walker and he confidently rolled the ball past Alex Mitchell for the opening goal.
It looked ominous for Reds, who had gone into the game with a threadbare squad, as Messrs Rigg, Symington, Ellis, Dickinson and Swinglehurst watched from the sidelines whilst the injured Carroll was named as a non-playing substitute.
And even the most optimistic of supporters felt that three more points were about to slip away, against a Lincolnshire side in great form.
But the situation changed just before the half hour mark when Clee ‘keeper, Ollie Battersby, handled the ball outside his area, preventing Kai Nugent a clear run to goal. The custodian was shown a red card and, although Town had a replacement ’keeper on the bench, they had to sacrifice the lively Wright to make the substitution.
It prompted a mood swing from Reds and they sensed an opportunity.
Play restarted after a five-minute delay but Isaac Whitehall drove the free-kick into the Town wall with his follow-up shot just clearing Lloyd Allinson’s crossbar.
And the powerful midfielder then headed another effort narrowly wide of the far post.
The deputy ‘keeper then had to save a low shot from Hopper, at the expense of a corner, before he gathered a weak Keelan Leslie effort.
Workington lost the momentum they had built up and were playing too deep after half time. They weren’t troubling Town’s defence, who were coping with an inadequate long ball tactic.
Reds finally got the message and were spending more time in the final third and creating a few half chances.
Then, with probably their first serious effort at goal in the second half, they produced an equaliser which could prove vital.
Nugent sent his cross towards the far post and Hopper ghosted in to calmly volley the ball into the net with a sublime side-foot finish.
When Hopper scores, Reds don’t lose!
And they almost grabbed a late, late winner. Ceiran Casson’s thunderbolt shot was blocked and Matty Tymon just failed to connect to a late cross into the box.
It was a difficult watch at times with Reds laboured in their approach and Town content to spoil and break up play at every opportunity. Yet, in terms of attitude and character, Reds just about deserved the draw whilst Craig Rouse, the manager-of- the-month for March, was left to contemplate what might have been.
Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Leslie (Palmer, 90), Whitehall, Little, Barnes, Galloway (Stephenson, 65), Allan, Tymon, Hopper, Nugent. Substitutes – Carroll, McLinden, Andrews (not used).
Cleethorpes Town: Battersby, Gallimore, Booth (Foster, 89), Vann, O’Grady, Hughes, Wright (Allinson, 30), Ackroyd (Boateng, 89), Walker, Braithwaite, Ainley (Whitehouse, 85). Substitute – Phuthi (not used).
Referee: Ben Schofield, Lancaster
Bookings: Tymon, Allan (Workington), Hughes, Braithwaite, Walker, Vann, O’Grady (Cleethorpes Town)
Red card: Battersby (Cleethorpes Town)
Attendance: 1,417
