MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 3-0 Alfreton Town

By the finish, Workington had recorded a comfortable, routine victory and, unlike their previous outing, took the chances when they were created.

Yet, after a bright opening quarter of an hour spell from the hosts, it was Alfreton who looked the more cohesive outfit with their running, passing and movement causing a problem or two.

But as they faded, the Cumbrian Reds began to dominate and once they had established a two-goal lead, the outcome was inevitable.

Luke Hunter had a low shot saved by Alfie Roberts, Dan Hopper’s header was close to giving Reds the early advantage and Hunter’s swivel shot drifted wide, as Alfreton were still shaking-off the ‘jet-lag’.

But the Derbyshire outfit enjoyed a good period up until the interval. Siyabonga Ligendza narrowly missed the target with one attempt, Sam Parker’s header, via a corner, was scrambled off the line and Alex Mitchell made a couple of fine saves, the best of which to thwart Reece Fyfe.

There was certainly more purpose to Workington’s play after the restart as they forced the visitors into defensive mode.

Brennan Dickenson and Hopper, twice, went close to getting the opener and the former did have the ball in the net in the fiftieth minute. Roberts had scooped the ball from under the crossbar but it fell conveniently to Dickenson who blasted home from close range.

But the ‘goal’ was disallowed following an apparent challenge on George Grumley.

It didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things and Reds were definitely ahead five minutes later. Hunter had intercepted a poor clearance, cut inside and squared the ball to Hopper who gleefully bagged his fifth goal of the season.

And within another five minutes, Reds were almost home and dry. The inspirational Dickenson collected the ball just outside the ‘D’ and propelled it into the bottom corner of Roberts’ net for a well taken second.

Town almost reduced the arrears when a wayward Hopper clearance rebounded off Mitchell’s right-hand post, before being cleared to safety.

Other than that, Town rarely threatened in the second half as their miserable away form continued.

And to complete a positive second half display, Reds scored a third ten minutes from time. Dickenson found Hunter with another pin-point pass and the top scorer guided the ball past Roberts in one swift movement.

It was his sixteenth goal of the campaign and the ninth time Billy Barr’s side had netted thrice in a match this season!

Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Fairclough, Rigby, Whitehall, Martin (Grayson, 77), Stephenson (Thomson, 86), Leslie (Ellis, 64), Dickenson, Hopper (Rigg, 75), Hunter (Jacobs, 82).

Alfreton Town: Roberts, Grumley, Parker, Williams, Robson, O’Reilly (Abudu, 70), Fyfe (Nadin, 85), Dixon, Ligendza, Kruszynski, McLachlan (Solanke).

Referee: Peter Leonard, Kendal

Attendance: 579