MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 3-2 Carlisle United

Reds completed their protracted pre-season programme with a less than convincing performance over United’s talented youngsters at a sun-drenched Borough Park.

Hayden Atkinson & Steven Swinglehurst

They recovered from a shaky start to the second half, and a 2-1 deficit, to win by the odd goal in five with the latest signing, Sharif Deans, on target with his third goal in eight days.

The first half had been short of activity in the final third with neither goalkeeper seriously tested. Workington moved the ball about well but the attack lacked a cutting edge, whilst United defended efficiently but were allowed to do so comfortably.

Keelan Leslie and Romeo Park both saw efforts from distance drift over the bar as did Amaru Smith, the Workington lad playing for Carlisle.

But there was some cheer for the home fans in the twenty-fourth minute and a well-deserved moment for Tommy Dawson. He scored his first goal for Reds with a good cross-shot finish, the ball going into Casey Sillitoe’s net via an upright.

Carlisle began the second half with a bit more purpose and Workington were punished within two minutes of the restart.

Young Smith collected the ball on the half-way line, made rapid progress down the line, cut inside leaving two Reds defenders in his wake before confidently slotting the ball past Alex Mitchell. A memorable goal for the teenager and his family.

And the home side then fell behind to a bizarre goal, after fifty-four minutes, with all members of the goalkeepers’ union feeling empathy for Workington’s number 1, Mitchell. He dashed off his line to make a routine clearance, completely missed the ball with a ‘fresh-air’ kick and Freddie O’Donoghue walked the ball into the unguarded net.

I doubt Workington would have recovered from that situation in a league game, but United’s lack of experience proved their downfall and they couldn’t manage the situation.

Reds tweaked the formation and gradually found a way back into the game, levelling matters in the sixty-ninth minute.

Ceiran Casson started the move in the right back position, released Josh Galloway on the flank and a teasing, first-time cross was met and headed home by Dawson. Simple but brilliant.

The mood had changed and credit to Reds for finishing stronger and more aggressive, after looking below par for two thirds of the contest.

It was then down to Deans to grab a seventy-fourth minute winner. United’s ‘keeper and a defender got themselves in a tangle but the Reds frontman still had a bit to do. He gathered the loose ball, worked himself a yard of space before sending the ball into the net for a well taken winner.

Deans and Galloway then combined in another slick attack which the latter just dragged wide of the far post.

The phoney war is now over and the real battle starts with Saturday’s visit of Whitby Town.

Workington: Mitchell, Barnes (Little, 67), Leslie, McGladdery (Casson, 42), Dickinson, Swinglehurst, Park, Ellis (Bell, 67), Dawson, Reid (Galloway, 59), Nugent (Deans, 46). Substitute – Eccles (not used).

Carlisle United: Sillitoe, Penney, Hodgson, Atkinson, Porter, Lowes, Lambert, Rigby, O’Donoghue, Mason, Smith. Substitutes – Bell, McDonough, Tonge, Rafferty, Towers (all used). Worth (not used).

Referee: Scott Henry, Carlisle

Attendance: 631