MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC U23 3-1 Lancaster City U23

A strong second half performance from Reds maintained their impressive start to the season as they made it five Lancashire League wins in a row.

But they were outfought and outplayed by a very efficient Lancaster side in the opening half and probably fortunate to still be in contention at the interval.

The young city outfit caught the eye with a well-structured display but they couldn’t convert their domination into goals.

Workington struck first and were ahead after just two minutes when the in-form Dan Hill cut in from the right before finding the bottom corner of Thomas Matthews’ net for his sixth goal of the season.

Lancaster responded well and carved disjointed Reds open time and again. But their only tangible reward came in the twenty-fifth minute when a good passing move culminated in Sam Kelly converting at the far post, following an inch-perfect cross from Oliver Rickerby.

It was a different story after the restart and the home side were far more effective and started to take control. They were more cohesive from back to front and stronger physically.

They regained the lead with another early strike, Josh Palmer heading home a Zach Benson-Lester corner at the near post in the forty-eighth minute.

The game ebbed and flowed but Workington were in control of the situation and a strong finish secured the victory.

Hill scored his second goal of the evening when he broke through and guided the ball past the ‘keeper and Callum Bell rattled the crossbar with a shot with his less favoured right foot.

Credit to both sides for serving up an entertaining contest in torrential rain.

Workington: Paden-Gale, Hambling, Bell, Johnston, Martin, Burns, Benson-Lester, Brennan, Palmer, Pickering, Hill. Substitutes – Sharpe, Carney, Cueto H, White, Tyson (all used).

Lancaster City: Matthews, Jackson, Davis, Brownlie, Sharp, Nelson, Greaves, Rickerby, Pye, McMeeking, Kelly. Substitutes – McDermott, Lamb, Craig (all used).

Referee: Leigh Musgrave

Bookings: Martin, Brennan, Sharpe (Workington), Rickerby (Lancaster City)