MATCH REPORT: Workington U23 5-2 Turton U23

Workington made a successful return to the Lancashire League, overcoming an uncomfortable first twenty minutes to eventually win with a bit to spare.

For the first time in five years, a Reds team played under the League banner, now rebranded as an Under 23 competition.

The ultimate aim, from a club perspective, is to further progress the development of younger players for the benefit of Workington AFC as we look for the next Sam Smith, Gareth Arnison, Aaran Taylor or Craig Johnston etc.

Team manager Johnston, and the others, were all given a solid grounding in the Lancashire League before becoming important first team players for several years. He will know, better than most, what is needed for players to make that next important step.

On the evidence of this far-from-perfect display, there is plenty of work to be done but the potential is there. But there has got to be a commitment from players to make the scheme work and we will only be able to make judgement on that after a few mid-week away games have been completed.

Turton looked more at ease for the first half hour and moved the ball about well, causing the newly assembled Reds’ team a problem or two.

The visitors twice took the lead but ran out of steam by the finish and, eventually, Workington deserved the points.

Reds fell behind following an eleventh minute corner when sloppy defending and poor marking enabled Mason Bradley to head Turton in front.

Workington were forcing the game, and everything was too hurried, but they did equalise after seventeen minutes, albeit fortuitously. Dan Hill’s attempt from inside the area appeared to be going well wide of the target until Josh Bailey steered the ball into his own net.

Within three minutes, though, Reds were behind again. Jack Campbell’s low drive was kept out by the diving Scott Paden-Gale but Confi Benson reacted first to drive the loose ball into the net.

From that point, Workington become more settled and a good flowing move culminated in Josh Palmer poaching a goal for the second equaliser.

And, four minutes before the interval, they were in front when Zach Martin thumped home a firm header from eight yards.

Workington got stronger in the second half and started to dominate. Turton ‘keeper, Charlie Coffey, kept his side in contention with four decent saves and Reds also hit the crossbar for a second time.

They added two further goals, both coming from substitute, Shane Tyson, in similar circumstances. He was on hand to score from close range after an hour, then two minutes from time, when Coffey was only able to parry shots from distance and he pounced to convert the rebound.

Shane Tyson

First team squad members, Trent Chapman and James Bell, were given some much-needed game time and were impressive throughout.

Workington: Paden-Gale, Chapman, Pickering L, Johnston, Martin, Bell, Cueto H, Benson-Lester, Palmer, Hill, Lowrie. Substitutes – Brennan, Tyson, Law, Davidson, Carini (all used).

Turton: Coffey, Devitt, Fairhurst, Bailey, Bradley, Butler, Campbell, Wood, Benson, Lowe, Milne. Substitutes – Derbyshire, Eddleston (both used).

Referee: Leigh Musgrave

Bookings: Bailey, Butler (Turton)

Sent-off: Milne (Turton, two yellows)