MATCH REPORT: Workington AFC U23 4-1 Squires Gate U23
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
Workington’s patience was rewarded with three late goals, extending their winning run to twelve matches.
They gave youth a fling in the Lancashire League match played at Frenchfield, with eight of the U18 squad given valuable game time.
Squires Gate belied their lowly standing, playing their part in an entertaining encounter, and looked capable of springing a surprise result until those last few minutes.
They stood firm in a first half dominated by the Reds with chances numbering as many as the passing vehicles on the adjacent A66.
But a combination of poor finishing, excellent defensive blocks and a string of fine saves from Josh Taylor kept Reds at bay. Incredibly, three goal-bound Workington shots were blocked by their own players as the league leaders lacked the conviction to finish off their good approach work.
And their frustration was compounded in the thirty-fourth minute when the Blackpool side opened the scoring with an excellent goal against the run of play. One clever pass released Jay Smith through the inside left channel and his composed finish demonstrated how it should be done.
It took Reds until the fifty-third minute to get on the scoresheet and, even then, it was a penalty which restored parity. Louis Pickering’s run into the box was halted by Tom Varsamis and the referee pointed to the spot. Dan Hill confidently converted with his eleventh goal of the season.
Hill had two further shots saved by substitute ‘keeper, James Sherra, and the latter also kept out Leo Brennan’s diving header with another fine save.
A free-kick, following a rare break away, was awarded to ‘Gate but Josh Blencow’s attempt was comfortably gathered by Joe Rumney, who had been booked for the original foul.
Ryan Handford’s fine shot cannoned off the crossbar as Reds’ anxiety deepened.
And there was a collective sigh of relief when they got their noses in front for the first time in the eighty-third minute when a hooked volley from Liam White looped into the net.
The visitors brave resistance was finally broken.
And sure enough, another goal followed less than ninety seconds later. Leo Brennan pounced to net a good poacher’s goal when he converted a low cross from the right from six yards.
Reds made it four two minutes from the end when Handford’s low cross was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Varsamis.
Reds had to work hard for the points but finished worthy winners against a gallant Squires Gate outfit.
Workington: Rumney, Routledge, Bell C (Jackson, 46), Johnston, Pickering L, Davidson, Handford (Pickering O, 46), Thomson, Brennan, Rogers (White L, 46), Hill.
Squires Gate: Taylor (Sherra, 46), Breakall, Guy, Brown, Belkaid, Varsamis, Cosgrove, Smith, Blincow, Olayinka (Green, 60), McClennan.
Referee: Tony Whitfield, Carlisle
Bookings: Rumney (Workington), Smith (Squires Gate)
