Barwell 1-0 Workington Reds

A league victory in 2018 is proving elusive for Workington as they slipped to a fifth straight defeat in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

A depleted squad put up a spirited performance in Leicestershire and were unlucky not to have brought back a point.

Although the starting line-up was decent, there were limited options on the bench which was occupied only by a half-fit Conor Tinnion and joint-manager Lee Andrews who has hardly played in two years.

“I thought it was a very good effort because there were lads out there who weren’t fully fit. I think the run of fixtures hadn’t helped with two midweek games since our trip away last Saturday,” said Andrews.

Barwell had won 2-0 at Borough Park a month earlier and they made a strong start in search of a quick double, forcing two early corners.

But Reds, with a changed line-up, dug in well and gradually started to have some influence on the game themselves.

The best effort came from Sam Joel, who showed quick feet in the area before firing in a low shot which keeper Liam Castle did well to turn round the post.

From the corner, Phil McLuckie climbed really well to get in a strong, downward header which Castle held at full stretch.

Rob Wilson had a goal-bound shot blocked by home skipper Craig Stanley and Castle comfortably held a Dave Symington free-kick from the edge of the area.

There were no such alarms for Reds at the back yet, very similar to Rushall the previous week, they conceded a late goal.

On 36 minutes, the ball was lifted into the Workington box and although it might have been a better option to catch, Aaran Taylor opted to punch.

He didn’t get enough distance on it and, from just outside the area, Brady Hickey lobbed the ball back over Taylor.

Gari Rowntree was on the line but couldn’t grow enough to head clear as the ball dropped just under the bar and into the bottom corner.

It was a body blow again for the Reds who, after their slow start, had probably shaded the first half.

Reds also made a positive start to the second period and went close when Scott Allison curled a shot from just inside the box not far past the post.

Tinnion came on after an hour and figured prominently in one goal-mouth scramble. Allison had a shot blocked and then Tinnion saw his effort cleared from almost on the line.

Barwell did not have a lot of opportunities and probably their best chance saw a header from Craig Reid clawed away by Taylor as it headed for the top corner.

There were some solid performances from the Workington team, particularly Rowntree, Matty Douglas and Sam Smith, but in the end, the search for a morale-boosting league win in 2018 goes on.