John Fuller reports from Borough Park

Last updated at 11:54, Monday, 02 March 2009

Workington Reds 0 Southport 1: A poor performance from Workington Reds saw them lose 1-0 to promotion chasing Southport on Saturday.

Right from the kick-off, Reds didn’t get into the game and went a goal down on 14 minutes when top scorer Ciaran Kilheeney headed past Adam Collin.

The goal was Kilheeney’s 16 of the campaign. His flicked header from a Shaun Whalley cross, nestled into the far corner giving the big Workington keeper no chance.

Antony Wright reclaimed his No 11 shirt after starting the last match on the bench.

That meant on-loan Jack Dorney started as a substitute in the only change from Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Droylsden.

On six minutes good play for Lee Andrews set Jonny Wright down the left-hand side. His cross found the head of Phil McLuckie but he couldn’t generate the power needed to beat Tony McMillan in the visitors goal.

Despite the early optimism Reds didn’t threaten to break through the resolute Southport defence for the rest of the half.

The visitors dominated proceedings, looking organised and with Earl Davis at the back it would take something special to get a clear sight on goal.

Eight minutes in and Southport rattled Collin’s bar.

Michael Powell’s shot was touched on by Kilheeney but Collin got his finger tips onto it and pushed it onto the woodwork and out for a corner.

The breakthrough came on 14 minutes when Kilheeney was allowed time to head in Whalley’s corner. And Southport’s danger man almost got his second goal of the game midway through the opening period when he tried to curl home a shot from just outside the box.

Reds had numerous corner and free-kicks but Shaun Vipond’s balls into the box were easily cleared by the Southport defence.

The visitors had one more chance to extend their lead before the break. Southport’s danger man Whalley played the ball to Steve Daly, but Collin beat away his goal-bound effort.

Reds could have equalised on 54 minutes when good work from Jonny Wright on the right wing almost paid off. His cross to strike partner Gareth Arnison was pinpoint but he couldn’t find the finishing touch.

With an hour played Edmondson brought on striker Andy Cook for Arnison and Jack Dorney for Anthony Wright.

Despite little service Cook looked direct in his play and ran the front line well but Dorney, on the left wing, never really got going.

Keeper Collin made a good save from Daly after McLuckie had lost possession on 70 minutes.

Reds had chances to get something from the game late on but each time the ball fell to Tony Hopper, who couldn’t hit the target.

The stand-in captain first shot just over after Gari Rowntree had rolled the ball into his feet. Just inside the box, Hopper flicked it up and shot-on-the-turn but could only look on as the ball went inches over the bar.

Then the same man then bundled his way into the box but dragged his shot wide when he should have hit the target and in injury time a cross from substitute Andy Hardman found Hopper but he shot high over the bar.

There was a flash point as the final whistle was moments away. Striker Cook beat Adam Flynn down the left, cut into the box and as the defender tried to tackle, handled the ball.

Cries for a penalty from every player in Red and all the fans on the Town End were ignored by referee Hart and Southport hung on to the points.

The defeat means Workington are now without a win in four league games and after the game boss Darren Edmondson said he was disappointed with how his side played.

He said: “We just didn’t get going. Before the game I drummed it into the lads that we needed to start well but when they scored it gave us a mountain to climb. In the second half we huffed and puffed and created chances but didn’t put them away.

“We didn’t perform like I know we can today but it’s difficult for the same 11 players to play well every game. We have a small squad but we need to be more consistent.”

MATCH FACTS

Star man: In a game when no player was at their best, captain Tony Hopper tried his hardest to earn Workington a point. He put in a workman’s shift in the centre of midfield and didn’t deserve to be on a losing team.

Workington: Collin, Langford, Rowntree, May, Andrews, McLuckie (Hardman, 83), Vipond, Hopper, J Wright, Arnison (Cook, 60), A Wright (Dorney 60). Unused substitutes: Anane, Robinson.

Attendance: 441

Referee: Gary Hart (Darlington)

First published at 11:32, Monday, 02 March 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk