MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC U23 2-3 Squires Gate U23
A much-changed Reds team fell to a disappointing home defeat against the well-drilled visitors as their spluttering start to the Lancashire League season continued.
Team selection was obviously made with Thursday’s FA Youth Cup tie in mind but, even so, it was an unexpected outcome against a side who had lost their opening three matches heavily.
By the finish, though, the Blackpool side were worthy winners. They defended superbly and always looked dangerous on the counter and, significantly, played for each other.
Reds will be wondering how they found themselves two goals behind at the break. They enjoyed plenty of possession, moved the ball about well but there was no end product with the final pass, or shot, often wayward.
And the visitors goal ratio in that first half couldn’t be questioned, two chances – two goals.
The first came as early as the fifth minute when Nurudeen Kabutey cashed in on some defensive uncertainty to nudge winless ‘Gate ahead.
And they doubled their advantage in the twentieth minute when a swift counter attack culminated with Eric Kidson confidently netting the second.
Reds enjoyed their best period during the first fifteen minutes of the second half, and two good Brad Keenan finishes got them back into contention.
Keenan Mackay created the first via a teasing cross from the left, with Keenan converting three minutes after the restart, and the second, in the fifty-seventh minute, was similar from the opposite side of the pitch.
Liam White did well on the right flank with Keenan in the right place at the right time to double his tally.
In between, the impressive Joe Fielder saw a fine shot strike the Reds’ crossbar.
But Workington, after such a bright start, could not complete the job and they always looked susceptible when ‘Gate countered. And it was no surprise when they grabbed an eighty-fourth minute winner when Fielder, the best player on the pitch, rifled home the winner from an acute angle.
Celebrations from the visitors at the final whistle but a bit of soul-searching to be applied by Reds.
Workington: Young, Routledge, Bell, Johnston, Martin, Davidson, High, White, Keenan, Carney, Mackay. Substitutes – Wilson, Coulthard, Dixon (all used).
Squires Gate: Taylor, Britton, Breakell, Ward, Belkaid, Brown, Clark, Fielder, Trudgeon, Kabutey, Kidson. Substitutes – Guy, Seedall, Ali, Green (all used), Moore (not used).
Referee: Scott Taylor, Carlisle
Bookings: Bell (Workington), Guy, Seedall (Squires Gate)
