By John Fuller

Last updated at 12:23, Wednesday, 15 October 2008

Workington Reds 4 Gateshead 2: Workington Reds ended a 467-minute goal drought in emphatic style last night, smashing four goals past Gateshead.

Reds beat their North East rivals 4-2 on a night that saw Shaun Vipond net his first two goals in Workington colours.

Defender Kyle May and skipper Graham Anthony completed the win in front of 225 fans at a rain-drenched Borough Park.

Anthony started his first game in three matches after completing a suspension, replacing Phil McLuckie, who dropped to the bench.

In slippery conditions Gateshead came to pass the ball, playing some neat football with winger Craig Nelthorpe in dazzling form.

It took just nine minutes for the 21-year-old, on loan from Doncaster Rovers, to show his class when he picked the ball up in midfield, turned defender David Hewson and hit a vicious shot just past Adam Collin’s right post.

Reds had chances of their own with Graham Anthony, Tony Hopper and Anthony Wright all firing wide.

And it looked as if Reds would find it hard to score for a fifth straight game when Gareth Arnison and Dan Robinson got in each others way, giving up a great chance on 15 minutes.

A quick free-kick from Anthony to Hewson, who drove to the byline, cutting the ball back but both strikers couldn’t direct it goalwards.

However, on 33 minutes Reds were ahead. Arnison was fouled on the right, Wright curled in a fine free-kick and Kyle May netted his second goal of the season, steering the ball past Paul Musselwhite in Gateshead’s goal.

It was the first time Reds had scored in 467 minutes in all competitions meaning they led at half-time.

The second-half came to light just after the hour mark when Gateshead striker Lee Novak raced clear of the Reds’ defence only to put his shot wide of the upright.

This spurred Reds into action. Graham Anthony was brought down right on the corner of the box. The midfield maestro picked himself up and hit a beautifully curling shot from 20-yards past Musselwhite to double Reds advantage.

Reds extended their lead on 77 minutes when a long clearance from Collin found Vipond, who looked to have slipped over, only to toe-end the ball into the net.

McLuckie and Craig Johnston replaced Robinson and Anthony on 78 minutes and with eight minutes to go Gateshead pulled one back. David Southern bundling the ball home from close range.

Vipond rouned off the Reds scoring with five minutes left, when he took Wright’s pass in his stride and belted the ball into the roof of the net from 12-yards.

The impressive Nelthorpe, who had been a constant thorn in Hewson’s side completed the scoring on 88-minutes with the goal of the night. A quick free-kick was rolled to him and he unleashed a 30-yard strike into the top corner, leaving Collin with no chance.

After the game boss Darren Edmondson said his players were disappointed to concede two goals.

He said: “We have a great bunch of lads at the club and over the last few weeks they have shown unity.

“We played well tonight but the lads were disappointed with letting in the goals we conceded.

“Graham Anthony showed us what he has in his locker and I think the home fans saw why we brought Shaun Vipond to the club.

“I was delighted with the goals he scored.”

MATCH FACTS

Team: Adam Collin, David Hewson, Gari Rowntree, Klye May, Lee Andrews, Shaun Vipond, Graham Anthony (Craig Johnston, 78), Tony Hopper, Gareth Arnison, Dan Robinson (Phil McLuckie, 78), Anthony Wright. Subs not used: Dan Kirkup, Andy Hardman, Darren Edmondson

Referee: J ohn Corkhill (Egremont)

Attendance: 225

First published at 12:00, Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk