MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC U18 4-3 Manchester Rose U18

The Young Reds registered an eleventh consecutive win in the JPL North West Division, a victory that has clinched the title…….with three games to go!

And winning the league will send them to Warwick University in May for the national finals.

It is a fine achievement for Conor Cooke, Gary Jackson and a talented squad that has swept all before them in a memorable season.

Their latest battle developed into a seven-goal thriller against nearest rivals, Manchester Rose.

Reds made a great start and were two goals ahead inside the first ten minutes. Alfie McDonough opened the scoring when he steered the ball into the bottom corner of the net following a flowing move down the right involving Ted Thomson and Oscar Pickering.

Their second came soon after when skipper, Harrison Telford, met Joe Douglas’ free-kick and headed the ball just under the bar and into the net.

Douglas nearly got on the scoresheet himself but a fine strike from distance rebounded off the crossbar.

Joe Douglas

The visitors were given a lifeline when Reds’ goalkeeper, Joe Rumney, impeded a Rose striker in the area and they successfully converted the penalty.

Reds regained control and two goals in quick succession saw them reach half time 4-1 to the good.

Another teasing Douglas free-kick evaded everyone and finished in the net, despite the best efforts of a defender on the line, and then a corner from man-of-the-match, Douglas, was deflected into the net for an unfortunate own-goal.

McDonough and Thomson squandered decent chances in the second half before Rose, in their inaugural season, reduced the arrears with a second and matters became interesting when Luke Routledge conceded another penalty five minutes before the end of normal time.

They converted from the spot to set up a dramatic finale, mounting a series of attacks in search of an equaliser, but Reds defended well in the later stages and secured an historic victory.

Reds now have an unassailable 33 points in the bag with four of the chasing pack currently on 18.

Team: Joe Rumney, Luke Routledge, Harrison Telford, Matthew Jackson, Charlie White, Joe Douglas, TJ Cueto, Ted Thomson, Oscar Pickering, Alfie McDonough, Harrison Rogers. Substitutes – Joe Carney, Jayden Fulton, Ryan Handford and Liam White (all used)