By John Fuller

Last updated 18:43, Monday, 25 August 2008

Workington 4 Burscough 1

A 40-YARD wonder strike from Tony Hopper helped Workington Reds register their first win of the season today.

Two goals from Johnny Wright and one from Anthony Wright completed the scoring as Reds ran riot against 10-man Burscough.

A crowd of 377 saw Darren Edmondson’s men play some attractive, free-flowing football on a soggy afternoon at Borough Park, which wasa far cry from the disappointing performance two days earlier when Reds went down 3-1 to Blyth Spartans.

On-loan Carlisle United midfielder Shaun Vipond made his first start on the right of midfield and looked impressive with some neat touches and delicate passes.

Lee Andrews partnered Kyle May in the centre of defence, with Dan Kirkup having to settle for a place on the bench.

New recruit Gareth Arnison, who joined Workington from Cumbrian neighbours Penrith, also started his first game for the club, linking up with Johnny Wright in attack.

And it was that partnership that had the Burscough defence run ragged all afternoon. Johnny Wright got the goals, but Arnison had a hat full of chances to open his account for the season.

Wright’s first came after only seven minutes, when Anthony Wright dribbled his way through midfield and found Johnny Wright on the right of the box, he cut inside his marker Sean Clancy and rifled a low shot past the helpless Zak Hibbert.

Reds were in total control all game and doubled their lead on 14 minutes.

As Johnny Wright chased down a through ball, goalkeeper Hibbert came running out. His clearance fell straight to Tony Hopper who sent the ball back over his head from 40 yards into the empty net.

Burscough rarely threatened, only having one shot in the first half, and it got worse for the Lancashire based club on 24 minutes as Clancy was shown a straight red card by referee Bernard Law for a two footed lunge on Hopper.

Reds then went into overdrive with Arnison going close twice before Johnny Wright got his second of the game.

A quick throw-in by Gari Rowntree to skipper Graham Anthony, whose pinpoint cross was met by Wright, who made no mistake from six yards volleying the ball past Hibbert.

Burscough could have cut the deficit just before the break when Rowntree was caught in possession by John Cass.

He squared the ball to Tony Evans, but Adam Collin, who had been a spectator until that point made a full length save to keep the score at half time Reds 3 Burscough 0.

Clancey’s red card tackle on Hopper meant the midfielder had to come off at half time. Dan Robinson took his place, playing on the right of midfield with Vipond moving into the middle.

Robinson’s pace was used to great effect, as he beat players and looked a much more potent threat than he has playing down the middle.

On 51 minutes Johnny Wright thought he has completed his hat-trick and scored Reds fourth goal but his header cannoned off the underside of the cross bar and was hacked clear.

Reds resorted to long strikes in the second half with Graham Anthony, David Hewson and Gari Rowntree all trying their luck from distance and striker Arnison knew it was not going to be his day as he went close again.

This time his shot from just inside the box rattled the post.

Burscough did pull one back on 75 minutes. Reds inability to defend set pieces this season has seen them concede six of the seven goals and it was another that lead to Burscough’s goal today.

A free kick on the right hand side was taken by captain Brian Moogan’s whose perfectly flighted ball was met by the head of Adam Roscoe, leaving Adam Collin no chance.

Kyle May had to retire injured with 10 minutes to go. An ankle injury which has plagued his all season again was the reason, and now he will miss the next three games following his red card against Stafford Rangers last weekend. Big Dan Kirkup came on in his place.

Anthony Wright sealed the win a minute later when he worked a short corner with Graham Anthony and hit a low drive past Hibbert.

The goal was his final touch as Dan Gullen was brought on to finish the game.

Lee Andrews, one of Reds’ best performers this season almost made it five in the last minute but his shot was tipped onto the bar and out for a corner.

And from that Rowntree again tried his luck from distance, Hibbert spilled the ball but Johnny Wright was unable to get the rebound.

As the referee’s whistle went to finish the game, Reds fans erupted with cheers as their team finally got their first win of the campaign.

After the game boss Darren Edmondson said he was very pleased with how his side played.

He said: “We needed the three points today. We have played well in spells during the other games but not got the result so I am delighted to win today.

“We were in control from the first 10 minutes and I asked the lads before the game to start well because Burscough are a young team and full of energy. They did that and we got the win.

“I was disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet because at half time I said that is what we wanted but a loss of concentration has cost us that but I am not taking anything away from the performance.

“I was pleased with how Shaun Vipond played. He is technically good and a very gifted player but you expect that coming from a professional club. I wanted to see him play on the wing and in the middle because I know he can do that and he played well.”

Reds moved up to 14th in the Blue Square North table with the win and next up is Alfreton on Saturday, who are one point and one position above Workington.