MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC 4-2 Blyth Spartans
For the second successive weekend, Reds were involved in a cup-tie producing six goals although, on this occasion, it was they who progressed to the next round of the competition.
Their makeshift team did enough in the second half to secure their passage to the next stage of the FA Trophy, after Step 4 side Spartans had established a half time lead.
But, with so many square pegs in round holes, this was a bonus win for Billy Barr’s depleted squad who face a daunting run of league matches before the next round of the Trophy.
The first half had a ‘phoney-war’ feel about it with Reds retaining possession and stacking up numerous completed passes yet never seriously testing visiting ’keeper, Callum Dobson.
And when Blyth recorded the one statistic that really mattered – a superb opening goal in the twenty-first minute – Workington retreated further into their shell.
Jordan Summerly was almost invited to have a crack at goal, he did and the ball flew into the net for the first FA Trophy goal in this season of firsts at the Fibrus.
There was an evident change of mood on the restart with Workington showing more purpose than they had previously. The upshot was a thoroughly entertaining second half with both teams prepared to venture forward at every opportunity.
Brennan Dickenson must have been cursing his luck on the way home because it was a mystery why his name didn’t appear on the score sheet. A combination of Dobson’s ability, the woodwork and some narrow misses ensured he would finish the afternoon goalless.
Thankfully, others didn’t suffer the same misfortune and Dan Hopper’s brace early in the second half extended the team’s scoring run to ten matches. He equalised in the fiftieth minute with a good close-range finish and then a deflected shot, three minutes later, saw the hosts edge in front.
Back came the ‘green and whites’ who restored parity after sixty-seven minutes with a fine headed goal from Paul Van-Zandvliet.
Josh Palmer had been recalled from his ‘loan’ stint with Carlisle City because of Reds crazy unavailability list and, having scored in the FA Vase recently for the Sky Blues, he bagged his maiden Trophy goal to put his parent club ahead again.
That came a quarter-of-an-hour from the end, a confident finish from a confident young man, but it still didn’t dampen Spartans enthusiasm.
The last few minutes was end-to-end with Workington seeking a fourth and Blyth searching for a leveller to set-up a penalty shoot-out decider.
And there was a touch of controversy thrown in for good measure too. As a cross came into the area, Robbie Spence challenged Danny Eccles for the ball, which he was entitled to do, but the Workington ‘keeper over reacted and aimed a kick at the Blyth substitute.
The referee opted to show both players a yellow card but Eccles was very fortunate not to be given a straight red.
And to round off a bizarre game there was even more madness in stoppage time as Blyth ‘keeper, Dobson, ventured forward to join the other twenty-one players in Workington’s half of the field.
When the Spartans attacked broke down, Reds countered and found Luke Hunter, well inside his own half, on the left. He galloped over sixty yards, with Blyth players in chase, before dribbling the ball into the vacated net.
Perhaps this was a win for former Workington director, Colin Doorbar, who passed away recently and was remembered before kick-off by both teams and supporters. He would have enjoyed the last-gasp drama!
Workington: Eccles, Rigby, Leslie (Routledge, 76), Ellis (Thomson, 66), Casson, Allan, Hopper (Jacobs, 69), Carroll, Dickenson, Stephenson (Palmer, 69), Hunter. Substitute – Mitchell (not used).
Blyth Spartans: Dobson, Evans, Summerly, Hickey (Spence, 78), Wood, Pawlak, Joisce (McGowan, 62), Van-Zandvliet (Simpson, 78), Lanning, Taylor (Foalle, 62), Dudgeon. Substitute – Vaulks (not used).
Referee: Nick Vincent, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Bookings: Carroll, Eccles (Workington), Taylor, Spence (Blyth Spartans)
Attendance: 623
