By John Walsh

Last updated at 14:17, Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Altrincham 1 Workington Reds 1: Two important facets of Workington’s play were on display at Moss Lane last night, and helped Reds to their first point of the new Blue Square North season.

Kyle May

Their ability to play tidy, constructive football saw them shade an entertaining first-half, even though the scoreline indicated it had been an even contest.

Then for the second-half it was Workington’s battling qualities, their committed response to a scrappier and less absorbing game, that saw them through to a share of the spoils.

And despite the fact that the west Cumbrians are still looking for their first win, there have been plenty of reasons for optimism for manager Darren Edmondson and his staff.

Edmondson said: “Although we have only a point to show for our efforts I don’t think there’s much doubt that we should have had more. We could have won both games, so I’ve been encouraged, particularly the way we played against Boston and in the first-half at Altrincham.”

Perhaps, though, it was the way Reds battled in the second-half against the Robins that said most about their chances of making an impression this season.

There will be many more occasions, in an improved and tougher Blue Square North league, when they have to show the same attitude, focus and application to scrap their way to the finishing line.

There were chances at both ends in a lively start to the game with Aaran Taylor the first keeper into action on two minutes when he did well to claw away an intended lob from Damian Reeves after the home striker had latched onto a ball over the top.

Workington’s response was immediate and when Gareth Arnison was fouled on the edge of the area, Anthony Wright’s fiercely struck free-kick wasn’t too far wide.

Taylor was in action again on seven minutes, turning an angled shot from Chris Lynch into the side netting while opposite number Stuart Coburn had to be alert to hold onto a clever header from Arnison which he held on his line.

The break through was eventually made by Reds on 27 minutes when Tony Hopper lifted a high ball into the box. Arnison’s flicked header found David McNiven lurking beyond the far post and showing good control and poise the veteran striker slotted his shot across Coburn into the opposite corner.

Altrincham thought they had fashioned an equaliser on 34 minutes when ex-Morecambe star Michael Twiss claimed highest in the Workington box to reach a Ryan Brown cross but his header was well claimed at the foot of his post by Taylor.

Kyle May, who was to emerge as Workington’s best, twice went forward for Mark Boyd corners and was just unable to direct his headers on target as Reds seemed likely to double their lead.

So it was a shock when Altrincham levelled five minutes before the break. Along ball over the top saw Lee Andrews first there, chasing back to deal with it, but he had Shaun Densmore breathing down his neck.

When Andrews’ pass back to Taylor fell short it was Densmore who came steaming past to go on around Taylor and slot home from a narrow angle.

It was to Andrews’ credit that he emerged in the second-half as a key figure alongside May, shrugging off the error to play his part in a resilient defensive unit.

There were few alarms for Workington, despite more possession for Altrincham as they started to dominate the midfield, and on the one occasion Taylor dropped a cross the loose ball was safely dealt with by his defence.

Workington, in fact, looked the side most likely to grab a winner in the closing 15 minutes, a good spell largely sparked by the arrival of Jake Simpson.

Once he skipped round his full-back to fizz a terrific low cross along the six yard line and it only needed a touch from a team-mate to give Reds the lad – but there was no-one in there gambling.

Then Simpson released Jonny Wright with a deft pass and a good shot on the run was well held by Coburn with Simon Tucker closing in for any mishandling.

No winning goal was to be found and both sides, in the end, would take some mutual satisfaction in claiming their first point of the season.

Workington Reds: Taylor, Hopper (Simpson 73), A. Wright, May, Andrews, Boyd, McLuckie, Dillon, J. Wright, McNiven (Tucker 77), Arnison (Sloan 84). Subs (not used) Main, Blake.

Referee: Matthew Parry

Crowd: 774

Star man: Kyle May – Awesome, on the top of his game, displaying the rock like qualities at the heart of the defence which have served Reds so well over the years.

First published at 11:27, Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk