By John Walsh

Last updated at 13:46, Monday, 11 August 2008

IT’S nine games now without a Blue Square win against Hinckley, but that particular statistic should

Determination: Reds defender Kyle May clears a Hinckley attack

Blue Square North: Hinckley 1 Workington 0

not be Reds’ main concern.

They have not won an opening game at this level of football and after four attempts the best they can manage is one draw.

But of more relevance to manager Darren Edmondson are Workington’s wafer-thin squad and the clear lack of spark and drive for the first game of the season.

Already without a second goalkeeper, Edmondson had to use Phil McLuckie among his five substitutes even though he hadn’t trained all week because of a poisoned leg.

It was hardly any consolation that Hinckley could only muster four subs because they had seven new faces in the line-up, an eighth on the bench and four players out through illness or injury.

Would that Edmo had the luxury of being able to bring in seven new players but Workington’s geographical situation is not like Hinckley’s who have been able to profit from the demise of the Nuneaton Borough club – four miles away.

Craig McIlwain, one of the Nuneaton players to make the short trip to the Marston’s Stadium, was not only the matchwinner with the only goal of the game but the easiest Man of the Match winner I can recall for some considerable time.

He was immense at the back for Hinckley throughout, and when Workington came with a late flourish which just about earned them a point he was instrumental in ensuring they saw it through.

In a nutshell the two sides looked very ordinary in the first-half when McIlwain’s 28th minute header divided the two teams.

The worrying thing from Workington’s point of view was that they lacked the drive, infectious enthusiasm and spark that served them so well at important moments last season. It was a flat display, especially coming off the back of an outstanding performance – albeit in a friendly – against Carlisle.

Those who thought Carlisle looked laboured, out-of-sorts or plainly not up for it, might have transferred the assessment to Workington for this opening day clash.

The only goal of the game came after 28 minutes - the first real effort on target at either end.

Workington had successfully defended three near-post corners but the fourth was deeper, curling just right for McIlwain to get in unchallenged and head firmly into the net. Clearly a bad goal to give away by the Reds.

They didn’t offer a lot in the first-half but home keeper Chris McKenzie – one of seven making their Hinckley debuts – did well to turn over a 30-yard

shot on the run from Tony Hopper which was dipping nicely.

Reds could also have been level just before the break. Three successive poor headers out of defence by Hinckley should have been punished but in the end Dan Robinson –Workington’s only debutant – lifted his shot onto the roof of the net.

There was, however, an improvement from Reds in the second-half and the bulk of the possession was inside Hinckley territory.

Hopper, who had gone closest in the first-half, was also nearest to earning Reds a point in the second period.

A good build-up involving Graham Anthony, Anthony Wright and Jonny Wright ended with a clever flick by Hopper which almost deceived a scrambling McKenzie but skidded just inches the wrong side of the post.

Collin, by contrast, was never seriously tested and the best effort of what was left in the game came as late as stoppage time.

Hopper, again, thundered in a great shot which McKenzie blocked with a superb save. The ball cannoned loose and both Anthony and Craig Johnston had digs but brave blocks by home defenders denied the Cumbrians.

When the ball did eventually fall to Johnston again, he snatched at his follow-up shot and put it high over the bar – the last opportunity of the game.

Hopper, with his hard work and determination – as well as his three near misses – was head and shoulders above anyone else in the Workington ranks.

But it’s that work ethic, more than anything, that Edmondson will want to see throughout the team when Harrogate come calling tomorrow for the opening fixture at Borough Park.

Workington: Collin, Andrews, Rowntree, May, Kirkup, Hewson (Johnston 77), Anthony, Hopper, J. Wright, Robinson (Hardman 77), A. Wright. Subs (not used) McLuckie, Rudd, Gullen.

Referee, Mark Sutton, Belper

Crowd: 541

First published at 11:46, Monday, 11 August 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk