MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC U23 2-1 Kendal Town U23

Workington had only themselves to blame for an anxious last twenty minutes after a strong finish from Kendal put a different complexion on this Lancashire League fixture.

Reds were in complete control for over an hour but numerous opportunities were squandered and their wastefulness almost proved costly.

They had established a two-goal advantage ten minutes into the second half but their play became ragged, mistakes began to creep in and a late rally from Town almost salvaged a point.

That would have been tough to take but a timely reminder that you have to be ruthless in front of goal and take chances when they come along.

The goals they did score were well taken with Kendal’s reply finding the net via a fortunate ricochet. Indeed, Zach Benson-Lester’s twenty-first minute opener will probably be a ‘goal-of-the-season’ contender with a wonderful strike from all of thirty yards arrowing into the net.

Benson-Lester’s strike was the first of several attempts at goal from the midfielder and Romeo Park, Josh Palmer, Ben Carini and Shane Tyson all lacked composure when presented with reasonable chances.

Zach Benson-Lester

The hosts doubled their advantage ten minutes after the restart. Dan Hill, Benson-Lester and Palmer linked well and cleverly worked an opening which the latter confidently finished.

But with nothing to lose, the visitors staged a late recovery and were back in contention after scoring eleven minutes from time. Leon Morris’ shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection, wrong-footed Scott Paden-Gale and the ball trickled into the net.

Reds survived, though, and registered their second win of the season.

Ceiran Casson played for an hour and will have played himself into contention for a first team recall on Saturday after missing the last six matches. Trent Chapman and Romeo Park also got valuable game time under their belts.

Workington: Paden-Gale, Chapman, Pickering, Johnston, Martin, Hambling, Casson, Benson-Lester, Palmer, Park, Hill. Substitutes – Tyson, Carini, Cueto H, Bell C (all used).

Kendal Town: Cumberland, Moore, Hine, Norfolk, Thornley, Gibson, Hogg, Casson, Czechura, Kowalik, Miller. Substitutes – Lambert, Wilkinson, Morris, Fieldhouse (all used).

Referee: Adam Pattison, Carlisle

Bookings: Paden-Gale, Johnston (Workington), Norfolk (Kendal Town).