John Fuller reports from Borough Park

Last updated at 14:28, Monday, 08 December 2008

Workington Reds 1 King's Lynn 1: Workington Reds made it five games unbeaten on Saturday drawing 1-1 with King’s Lynn at Borough Park.

Jonny Wright is congratulated by Gareth Arnison after scoring

Manager Darren Edmondson named the same team that beat Vauxhall last weekend and his side started the brightest passing the ball with intent.

However, despite all the possession it was the visitors who struck the first shot in anger.

Scott Mitchell and Adam Smith linked up well down the left wing and it was Mitchell who fired wide of the far post.

Two minutes later Reds were again on the attack and Tony Hopper tried his luck from outside the box following good work from David Hewson and Phil McLuckie. Hopper’s rasping drive was tipped round the post by Scott Howie in the Linnets goal.

Reds continued to push forward in droves and striker Gareth Arnison was unlucky not to put the home side in front. He picked up a loose ball in the penalty box, rounded Howie but his shot was deflected for another corner.

Midway through the first half Reds were rewarded for their attack minded play when top scorer Jonny Wright headed home an Anthony Wright corner from inside the six yard box.

Anthony Wright’s in-swinging ball was knocked back across goal by Arnison and Jonny Wright couldn’t miss from close range, scoring his ninth goal of the season.

Wright had another chance to put Reds two-up on 25 minutes after Shaun Vipond had dispossessed Jack Defty in his own half.

Scurrying forward he found Wright who curled a 30 yard effort past the post.

Keeper Adam Collin, who was a mere bystander for most of the first half, was kept on his toes when he was forced to get down and save well from Defty.

And again Collin was alert when Greg Crane flicked a goal bound effort from a corner on 31 minutes.

Instrumental Anthony Wright tired his luck on 38 minutes. Wright, who has scored some fantastic long range strikes in recent weeks, let fly from 35 yards but his shot went just over the bar.

In the second half King’s Lynn started to get into the game and could have equalised within three minutes of the restart.

Michael Frew was alone on the right of the penalty box but dragged his shot wide of Adam Collin’s goal.

Linnets boss Keith Webb took off former Aston Villa striker Julian Joachim on 57 minutes. The ex Premier League star had done nothing all game and John Turner replaced him.

On the hour mark Arnison had a great chance to extend the lead for Workington as he raced clear of the King’s Lynn defence.

Hewson knocked a long ball over the top for the striker to chase and he beat Crane to the ball. However, the defender got back and ushered him wider than he would have liked and eventually got a block in.

Linnets best player was the tall Defty and he got his reward on 71 minutes when he leapt highest in a packed penalty box to nod home the equaliser from a Francis corner.

In truth he should have scored a minute earlier but Kyle May dived to block his goal bound effort.

There were no clear cut chances after that. Craig Johnston came on to replace Anthony Wright on 78 minutes but lasted just six minutes.

Johnston fell awkwardly in the opponents box and had to be stretchered off. It is believed the midfielder twisted his knee but scans from the hospital will confirm that. Martyn Coleman replaced him.

Six minutes injury time was played but neither side could collect all three points.

Afterwards boss Darren Edomondson said: “Craig had to be taken to hospital straight away. He was in a lot of pain with shooting pains going from his knee to his foot.

“On the match I believe a point was a fair result. We dominated the first half which is what I asked the lads to do but in the second half they made some substitutions which changed the game.

“In the second half they had more possession but they didn’t create many chances. Saying that neither did we and that’s something will be trying to put right for next week.”

MATCH FACTS

Star man: Striker Jonny Wright worked hard all game and deserved his goal. The dropped deep and battled for possession in midfield as well as linking well with strike partner Gareth Arnison.

Referee: Mr C Buxton

Attendance: 325

First published at 11:27, Monday, 08 December 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk