By John Fuller

Last updated at 13:40, Wednesday, 02 February 2011

Workington Reds 0 AFC Telford 1: A long range free-kick by Telford full-back Sean Newton was enough to sink much-improved Workington Reds.

Shaun Vipond

The left-back sweetly struck home a 35-yard effort, looping the ball over the wall and past the despairing Aaran Taylor, after Lee Andrews’ was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball.

Newton’s goal was one of just two shots Telford managed to create all game as Reds dominated large periods of.

The Borough Park club played some neat, free-flowing football, opting to keep the ball on the deck.

Tom Smyth made a surprise return to the starting line-up after rejoining on loan from Accrington Stanley.

The full-back had been recalled to the League Two side to cover for injuries but will now serve out the remaining 28 days of his deal at Workington.

Anthony Wright also made a return to action in place of another loanee Billy Greulich, who started on the bench.

The game started brightly with both sides looking to assert their dominance on the game.

Despite both sides trying to get the ball down, neither team tested the opposition keeper.

On 19 minutes the deadlock was broken in controversial circumstances.

Andrews, who was barged in the back by Danny Carey-Bertram, but referee Joe Buglass gave the free-kick to the visitors.

Newton lined up the set-piece and curled his effort expertly into the bottom corner of the net.

Reds had two chances within five minutes of Newton’s strike to level the tie but Phil McLuckie’s 30-yard hit deflected off a Telford boot and on to the bar.

While Wright’s strike from the same distance fell inches wide of the far post.

Reds dominated the remained of the half and captain David Hewson went close to equalising on the stroke of half-time but shot over from the edge of the box.

Tricky Nick Rogan kept his footing to jink past one challenge before picking out Andy Langford. The full-back cut inside before squaring to Hewson who blazed over.

Workington, who were embarrassed 3-0 last time out at the hands of Eastwood, were much improved and deserved more for their efforts.

It was yet another case of all the possession but none of the pleasure for Reds, who couldn’t find a way through the Telford defence.

The second half passed with very incident. Reds custodian Taylor did well to keep Telford out when he denied Carl Rodgers on 56 minutes.

Rodgers was sent through one-on-one but Taylor’s legs came to the rescue to deflect the ball to safety.

As the hour mark approached Wright was unlucky not to find the target with a stooping header.

Rogan beat two men with a jinking run and as his shot rebounded to the winger, he placed his header into the side netting.

Greulich, Conor Tinnion and Andy Murray-Jones were all thrown on to try and salvage something from the game but couldn’t make the desired impact.

Telford’s time-wasting tactics helped secure the win but the 262 in attendance saw a much-improved performance than last week’s Eastwood defeat.

Reds: Taylor, Smyth, Langford, May, Andrews, Vipond, McLuckie (Greulich 61), Hewson, Arnison, Rogan (Murray-Jones 87), Wright (Tinnion 78). Subs not used: Blake, Main.

Attendance: 262

Referee: Joe Buglass

Star man: Captain David Hewson showed the way with a solid midfield display, leading the rest of his side and putting in a determined shift.

First published at 11:46, Wednesday, 02 February 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk