MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 1-1 Cleethorpes Town
A war of attrition which became a compelling watch, with Cleethorpes’ watertight defence trying to repel a Workington attack in good form of late.
And after a pulsating battle, both teams emerged satisfied with a hard-earned point which, in Workington’s case, extended the unbeaten league run to seven matches and, from a Town perspective, saw them yet to lose on their travels.
Chances were few and far between although Workington did have the ball in the net in the opening minutes, but Luke Hunter’s ‘hand of God goal’ was rightly disallowed and earned Reds’ top scorer the first yellow card of the afternoon.
Hunter did register the first shot on target soon after, but a rather weak effort was comfortably gathered by Ollie Battersby.
Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in the first half but both were busier in the second period.
There were optimistic appeals for a penalty when a Tom Stephenson shot was charged down by Dan Gallimore’s block but the referee let play continue.
The game became scrappy for a period in the second half, but burst into life towards the later stages as both thought about converting one point into two.
It had looked to be heading for a goalless afternoon but ‘Clee’ broke the deadlock after seventy-seven minutes. Reds failed to prevent a good cross coming in from the right and Josh Walker’s fine header, looped into the net from twelve yards.
Would that kill the game? The answer was an emphatic no as Reds kept going to the end and, not only did they grab an equaliser but almost sneaked a winner.
The outstanding Brennan Dickenson levelled matters after two strikes at goal in a matter of seconds. The first was sweetly struck and saved by Battersby – the first significant save of the afternoon – but, when the ball was recycled, Isaac Whitehall squared the ball to Dickenson who netted from twenty-two yards with a shot that lacked the power of the earlier effort but found a way into the corner of the net.
Dickenson’s then sent Louis Jacobs through on goal, with the pass of the match, but the substitute’s first touch let him down and Battersby gathered the ball with ease.
Then we had the drama all Reds fans could have done without.
Walker, for once, got away from his markers and looked set to grab the winner but Alex Mitchell raced off his line and was well outside his area when he charged down the ball.
The referee had no alternative but to award a direct free kick to Town and red-card the unfortunate Mitchell.
Isn’t it strange how such quirky moments repeat themselves in football. In the corresponding fixture at Borough Park six months ago, Battersby was sent off as Clee were reduced to ten men.
Skipper Brad Carroll donned Mitchell’s shirt and prepared to face Callum Ainley’s free kick. And the loudest cheer of the day greeted the emergency ‘keeper’s nervous save, and his follow-up block to thwart Walker.
And he completed a ‘seven-minute clean sheet’ with another save and two successful catches – a role he hadn’t played out since his schoolboy days.
Not all heroes wear capes, some are dressed in a flimsy lilac shirt!
Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Leslie (Grayson, 65), Rigby, Whitehall, Allan, Stephenson (Ellis, 46), Carroll, Dickenson, Hopper (Palmer, 62), Hunter (Jacobs, 81). Substitute – Thomson (not used).
Cleethorpes Town: Battersby, Gallimore, Newall, Ravenhill, Blunden, Foster, Brown (Ainley, 60), Ackroyd (Conway, 60), Walker, Hey (Bramwell, 81), Fewster (Braithwaite, 69). Substitute – Hughes (not used).
Referee: Ciaran Williams, Liverpool
Bookings: Hunter, Whitehall (Workington), Foster, Fewster (Cleethorpes Town)
Red card: Mitchell (Workington)
Attendance: 1,018
