MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC U23 4-0 Fylde Coast Futsal Club Fleetwood Town

With Borough Park currently waterlogged, this Lancashire League fixture was switched to Penrith’s Frenchfield.

The new surroundings suited both clubs as they tried to play football on an excellent surface, despite the hostile conditions.

Reds scored at the beginning and end of the first half and were in control by half time but Fleetwood had their moments – a good spell between the first two goals and again for a twenty-minute period after the interval.

Their approach play was good but they lacked that cutting edge in the final third and got little joy from Reds’ solid defence.

The Cumbrians utilised their substitutes to good effect and were worthy winners by the end.

They went in front after six minutes when Leo Brennan met a low cross from Josh Palmer to steer the ball home from close range.

Dan Hill then saw a shot saved by Fleetwood ‘keeper, Matei Licsor, and a Zach Benson-Lester effort brushed the crossbar.

The second goal was credited to Harley Cueto who sent a free-kick into the area and Licsor could only fumble the ball into the net.

Fleetwood had the strong wind and rain behind them on the restart and had control of the ball for a while but rarely threatened Scott Paden-Gale in goal.

Workington got their third goal of the evening after sixty-five minutes and it was probably the pick of the four.  Joe Carney (inset) won possession on the edge of the area, worked himself a yard of space before passing the ball into the net with a sublime finish.

Joe Carney

And Brennan, who started the scoring, added his second, Reds’ fourth, eight minutes before the end.  Good build-up play culminated in the number nine finding the net with a firm finish from the edge of the box.

Reds have now won their opening seven games but their 100% record will certainly be put to the test with six successive away games looming.

Workington: Scott Paden-Gale, Taylor Hambling, Callum Bell, Owen Johnston, Louis Pickering, Zach Martin, Jack Burns, Zach Benson-Lester, Leo Brennan, Josh Palmer, Dan Hill.  Substitutes – Jack Sharpe, Harley Cueto, Rob Davidson, Luke Routledge, Joe Carney (all used).

Fleetwood Town: Matei Licsor, Yashvir Dewan, Brad Zawe, Ben Liptrott, Oscar Wright, Konde Bugino, Mert Yarci, Plamen Kovachev, Paul Federspiel, Nathan Pinnock, Max Lhermitte.  Substitutes – Seb Woodbridge, Zab Ebhodaghe, Flynn Sheedy (all used).

Referee: Tony Whitfield, Carlisle

Booking: Pickering (Workington)