MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 3-1 Ilkeston Town
The feel-good factor at the Fibrus Community Stadium continued after Reds extended their winning run to six matches.
And, after comfortably disposing of the Derbyshire outfit who have gone even longer without a win, manager Billy Barr declared,
Winning six games in a row at any level is a notable achievement and the squad deserve the plaudits for the work they have put in.
It’s their best winning sequence for four years and extended by another three-goal haul, and nobody can recall the last time the team scored thrice in five successive matches.
The points looked safely secured after Luke Hunter netted twice in the opening ten minutes but, after squandering several more decent opportunities, the visitors had a little spell which reminded the hosts that complacency is a dangerous trait.
But, after re-establishing the two-goal margin by the hour mark, Barr’s boys managed the game better to maintain their impressive home record against Ilkeston.
The opening goal came with just four minutes on the clock and followed some short, sharp passing in the area with Hunter pouncing from close range to net for the fourth game in a row.
And with Ilkeston still recovering from the first, Hunter repeated the feat in the tenth minute with a similar finish after Matty Douglas’ long throw had unsettled the orange shirted defence.
You know when you’ve been Tango’d!
Douglas was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself when a firm header, via Simon Rigby’s assist, was gathered confidently by Sam Wilson and a last-ditch tackle on Brennan Dickenson averted another opening.
Town gradually got a foothold in the game but there was no end product to some good approach play and Sonnie Davis’ shot from distance was one of their few attempts at goal.
That changed soon after the restart with the visitors reducing the arrears in the forty-eighth minute. Lvarn Brandy did well to keep a deep cross in play and then fed the ball to Anthony Dwyer who scored with a fine swivel shot.
But Reds recovered their composure and the third goal knocked the stuffing out of a gallant Town side.
Hunter volleyed over after connecting with a Tom Stephenson cross and the former was involved, soon after, when the hosts were awarded a penalty. Cherif Baba Yaya’s clumsy challenge sent Hunter to the floor and the referee, who had turned down two previous appeals, pointed to the spot.
Dickenson grabbed the ball and scored, just, to become the first Workington player to convert a penalty at their temporary home.
Hunter did go close to completing his first hat-trick for the club, with the best opportunity late in the game when Wilson dashed off his line to deflect a low shot for a corner.
Jake Allan was just off target with a long-range volley whilst Town substitute, Dylan Reason, was twice thwarted by Alex Mitchell as Ilkeston pushed for a late consolation goal.
And on a sad, emotional day for the Casson family, it almost had the perfect scenario. Ceiran burst through the inside right channel but a poor first touch spoiled the opportunity for his first goal of the season, for what would have been a poignant tribute following a family bereavement.
Reds now take a break from league business, with FA Cup and Trophy action the focus over the next fortnight.
Workington: Mitchell, Casson, Grayson, Rigby, Douglas, Barnes, Stephenson (Hopper, 78), Carroll (Allan, 61), Dickenson (Thomson, 85), Nugent (Ellis, 46), Hunter. Substitute – Leslie (not used).
Ilkeston Town: Wilson, Davis, Grewal-Pollard, Baba Yaya, Johnson, Robinson, Hunter (Reason, 62), Hawkridge (Daniel, 78), Dwyer, Newell (Belgrave, 85), Brandy (Seaton, 73). Substitute – Parkes (not used).
Referee: Reagan Webber, Durham
Bookings: Rigby, Douglas (Workington), Brandy, Robinson (Ilkeston Town)
Attendance: 818
