Workington Reds go out of the Integro League Cup with a whimper

Reds rarely troubled the visiting keeper as they struggled to find form while their opponents came out of the blocks quickly and set out their stall.

Clitheroe came into the game unbeaten in 11 games and they ran Reds ragged at times.

Reds had rung a number of changes from the side who defeated Evo Stik Northern Premier League leaders Rushall Olympic at the weekend.

Tom Fowler replaced Aaran Taylor in goal and young defender Stuart Johnson made his first team debut, stepping up from the Reserves.

Matthew Douglas, Calum Henderson and Robbie Hebson also came into the starting line-up as managers Dave Hewson and Lee Andrews rested some of their regulars.

It was a slow start from both sides, although it was Clitheroe who looked the more dangerous on the attack in the early stages.

They broke through on a couple of occasions, leaving the Reds defence scrambling to get back.

Kurt Willoughby was put through and he shot just over the crossbar as he was closed down by Calum Henderson.

And, in the 14th minute, George West shot from the angle and beat diving keeper Fowler for the visitors to take the lead.

Reds did have their chances. Conor Tinnion lofted the ball across the face of the goal but a defender just go his head to it to put it out for a corner.

That was put in to the centre, finding Josh Calvert but he could only shoot wide of the target.

Jack Ryan tried to feed in Hebson but the youngster slipped in the sticky conditions and then Dave Symington shot into the side netting.

It looked as though Clitheroe would be 2-0 ahead when an initial shot from Willoughby was blocked before it was followed up by Mitch Bryant.

The ball ended up in the back of the net but the flag was raised for offside, much to the relief of the Reds defence.

The half came to a close with nothing more to really test either keeper or entertain the crowd.

The second half was only seconds old when Clitheroe extended their lead.

There was some consternation on the Reds bench as Bryant was put in the clear down the centre.

The bench called for offside but the referee waved play on and Bryant slotted the ball past Fowler to make it 2-0.

Reds tried to get back into gear when Waterston flicked the ball into the path of Jake Simpson, on at half-time to replace Johnson.

Simpson got in a good ball, across the face of the goal, but nobody was there to meet it and Clitheroe survived.

And they took the ball straight to the other end of the field where Willoughby turned and tried to get a shot in but it went just wide of the post, under pressure from Henderson.

Clitheroe had another golden opportunity with Fowler halting the first shot with his foot and then he got a hand to the second before Henderson cleared off the line.

A defensive mix-up nearly let the visitors in again and handed Charlie Russell a golden opportunity in space.

But Fowler pulled off a good save as he just got a touch to send the shot out for a corner and keep Reds in the hunt.

Reds finally looked to trouble the visiting keeper as Jack Ryan saw his shot ricochet off the post and Hebson's follow up was put out for a corner.

The ball was played in short and it came out to Symington who tried his luck from outside the area but it was saved by the keeper.

Workington never really looked like getting back into the game and the full-time whistle sounded with Clitheroe the team deservedly progressing.

Workington Reds: Fowler, Johnson (Simpson 45), Symington, Douglas, Henderson, Wright, Hebson, Calvert, Ryan, Waterston (Wilson 61), Tinnion. Subs (not used): Earl, Carter, Weatherill

Clitheroe: Thompson, Bromley, Cattermole, Ellison, Roberts, Russell (Mitchell 75), Churchman, Carroll, Willoughby (Bolton 66), Bryant, West (Newby 86). Subs (not used): Tuanzebe

Goals: West 14, Bryant 46

Referee: John Mulligan

Half time: 0-1

Crowd: 172