By John Fuller

Last updated at 12:00, Monday, 30 March 2009

Workington Reds 0 Alfreton 3: Workington Reds poor home form continued on Saturday as they lost 3-0 to play-off chasing Alfreton Town.

Anthony Wright

The loss means Workington have not won at Borough Park since the middle of February when they beat Telford 1-0.

Five games have come and gone since then with Darren Edmondson’s side picking up just two points from a possible 15.

Edmondson went with the same side that beat Harrogate 1-0 in midweek. That meant Tony Hopper partnered Phil McLuckie in the centre of the park.

McLuckie was rated as doubtful as he suffered from a groin strain but was deemed fit enough to start the match.

Fullback Andy Langford, who was taken off after just five minutes of the Harrogate win, also started the game.

It was a lively first half with both teams looking to assert their dominance on the match.

Keeper Stephen Dickinson was caught in possession by Reds striker Jonny Wright on 13 minutes. Dickinson tried to beat Wright but the hit man took the ball off him. Unfortunately for Wright, defender Matthew Wilson got back to knock the ball out for a corner.

Reds had another chance on 18 minutes when Lee Andrews’ beautifully floated free-kick found Anthony Wright on the back post, but his sliding shot went into the side-netting.

Midway through the first half Jonny Wright picked up the ball and ran straight at goal.

Wright beat one defender but his fierce drive was blocked by brilliantly by Aden Flint who threw his body on the line to stop the goal-bound effort and maintain Alfreton’s clean sheet.

The visitors’ first sight of goal came on 33 minutes when a scramble in the Workington box was cleared by Kyle May.

It was end-to-end stuff but with half-time fast approaching Alfreton took the lead.

Liam Hearn beat May on the edge of the box, his shot was blocked by Andrews, but the ball fell kindly to Anton Brown. His shot hit the left post but rolled across the goal-line and into the net. As the teams came back out for the second half May was left in the dressing room. The big defender had suffered a groin strain and was replaced by Dan Robinson.

Edmondson’s side were lined up to go for all three points, playing a 3-4-1-2 formation.

Robinson’s introduction was almost the catalyst Reds needed as the winger got to the byline, but his cross missed everyone in the box and the danger was cleared.

Reds spent the first 10 minutes of the half in possession but were caught by a sucker punch. A long ball over the top set Hearn away, he shrugged off Gari Rowntree and slotted past Adam Collin to double the advantage.

The goal deflated the Reds players and gave Alfreton the confidence to push on looking for more goals.

Hearn had another good chance to extend the lead but failed to hit the target.

Midfielder Anthony Howell got more into the game and twice waltzed his way into the Workington penalty area. Luckily for the Reds defence he failed to add more goals.

The game was settled as a contest with 15 minutes to go when Alfreton were awarded a penalty.

Keeper Collin spilled the ball and when Paul Clayton picked it up he was tripped by Anthony Wright. Clayton picked himself up to send Collin the wrong way and seal the win.

Reds didn’t give up and should have pulled a goal back when Jonny Wright fed McLuckie, but his shot from just inside the box was saved by Dickinson’s feet.

Afterwards Edmondson said he was disappointed with the result but pleased with the performance of some of his players.

He said: “The score-line looks comfortable but I don’t think it was. The lads were very down in the dressing room after the game but we need to pick ourselves up. We have another tough game against Fleetwood on Tuesday night.

“I think we played some good football at times, especially in the first half.

“I know we conceded three goals but Lee Andrews had a good game for us. Phil McLuckie in midfield and Tony Hopper played well and Jonny Wright ran the line well.

“Even though we lost the game I think the fans saw that we did play well against a good team, who have the best two strikers we have played against.

“There was no booing or shouts from the sidelines so they must have appreciated the effort we put in.”

Star man: Edmondson named the star performers and I would agree with that. For me, Phil McLuckie had a great game. He got stuck in, never shirked out of a challenge and was unlucky not to score late on.

Team: Collin, Langford, Rowntree, May (Robinson, 45), Andrews, McLuckie, Arnison (Hardman, 83), Hopper, J Wright, Cook, A Wright. Subs not used: Edmondson

Referee: D.A. McCallum

Attendance: 307

First published at 11:36, Monday, 30 March 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk