MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 1-3 Bamber Bridge

Workington’s mini revival came to a slithering halt in the Borough Park mud as ‘Brig finished the stronger, after what had been an even slog for seventy-five minutes.

And it was two quick-fire goals in ninety seconds from Ewan Bange which swung the game in the visitors’ favour, avenging Reds win in Lancashire three months ago.

Bange had been kept quiet for most of the afternoon but the tall centre forward came to life late in the day, and a header and a firmly struck shot secured the points.

Looking for a first win in five outings, Reds made a reasonable start and Jordan Little’s two headers came close to opening the scoring.  His first was gathered by Aidan Dowling, the second went narrowly wide via a corner and a cross respectively.

Jamie Milligan’s side started to move the ball about efficiently and one such passage of play was rewarded in the twenty-third minute.  The impressive Archie Lang found Jack Baxter and his instinctive left foot finish found the far corner of Danny Eccles’ net.

Eccles saved from the lively Lang in Brig’s next attack.

The hosts responded well and levelled on the half hour mark.  Steven Rigg, and ball, found themselves wide on the left and the skippers’ good hold-up play and the timing of his pass put Kai Nugent in on goal.  His finish from a tight angle restored belief in the home ranks.

It prompted an encouraging conclusion to the first forty-five.  Dan Hopper saw one effort blocked on the line, Rigg and Jack Dickinson both failed to connect to a teasing cross from the right and a Rigg shot was comfortably gathered by Dowling.

The second half became even more of a test and credit to both sides, and the referee, for getting the game completed in swamp-like conditions.

Rigg saw another effort clear the bar before the other number 9, Bange, struck.  He restored Bamber Bridge’s lead in the seventy-fifth minute when he, somehow, headed home from almost ground level with the ball trickling into the net.

Workington were still discussing what went wrong with that goal when they conceded again.  This time they were outdone with a straightforward ball down the middle and Bange had time and space before confidently placing the ball past Eccles.

Greg McCaragher saw one effort bravely blocked, Little and Luke Ellis blazed shots wide as Reds tried to salvage some pride but a hugely frustrating afternoon was compounded when Little picked up a second yellow for a wild challenge and was sent off just before the end.   

Reds were left to rue a host of missed chances as they marked the half-way point of their season with a damaging eleventh defeat.  

Workington: Eccles, Barnes (Allan, 79), Dickinson, Casson, Little, Magloire, Stephenson, Ellis (McDonough, 83), Rigg, Nugent (McCaragher, 74), Hopper (Leslie, 74).  Substitute – Swinglehurst (not used).

Bamber Bridge: Dowling, Abankwah, Baxter, Churchman, Knight-Purcival, Bailey, Allen (Forbes, 83), Poilly, Bange (Benns, 79), Lang (Molloy 67), Moore.  Substitutes – Okome, Potts (not used).

Referee: Ben Schofield, Lancaster

Booking: Little (Workington)

Red card: Little (Workington, two yellows)

Attendance: 737