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Workington 0, Carlisle Utd 1
By ROBERT SUMMERSCALES
The footballing career of Tony Hopper has taken its final bow, following a brief 15 minute cameo at the end of a Cumbrian friendly.
A proud Cumbrian, Hopper appeared over 350 times for both clubs (over 250 of them for Workington).
His time at Carlisle included two promotions, a Wembley appearance and a role in the famous ‘Jimmy Glass game’ against Plymouth in 1999. Despite this, Hopper recently cited Red’s FA Trophy defeat of AFC Wimbledon last season as his greatest memory.
Despite the rain, the turnout for the game was very reasonable. Carlisle’s travelling support, who made a big contribution to the attendance of 676, were in good spirits and provided a soundtrack of sorts with not one, but two ‘drummers’.
Although not the most polished spectacle, the game will surely go down as a very worthwhile exercise to both sides. It was played at a high tempo, with plenty of bite.
There were lots of individual points to prove; Reds included six players formerly on United’s books while ex-Reds keeper Adam Collin and two loanees Ryan Bowman and Andy Cook made their returns to Borough Park as opposition.
Carlisle named a first eleven full of quality; Frank Simek, Ian Harte and Peter Murphy all with full international caps to their names. For Reds, Lee Andrews returned after missing the Gateshead game because he was attending a wedding while Matty Tymon was given a start after scoring the winner at the weekend.
The game started brightly, with both teams defying the weather and playing some tidy football. Reds' midfielder Phil McLuckie’s looping header forced Collin into early action.
Shaun Vipond and Gary Madine had good efforts from outside the box at opposite ends, the latter forcing a solid save from Aaran Taylor. Tymon led the line well and was bringing others in to play, while, at the other end, Francois Zoko looked impressive with a series of skillful touches and athletic runs.
Zoko was twice denied by Kyle May’s superb last ditch challenges, either side of two threatening free-kicks from Vipond. The first was taken quickly and skimmed just wide off the wall, with Collin rooted to the spot.
Collin was at full stretch for the next; tipping Jonny Wright’s low drive around the post, after he was teed up by Vipond. The keeper looked confident and commanding throughout and from the resulting corner punched clear under strong pressure.
The game then became scrappy and tight before the visitors rallied as half-time approached. Carlisle forced a couple of quick corners and then carved out the chance of the half; Jake Simpson delivered a pin-point cross for Madine, who’s downward header was expertly palmed over by Taylor - the save of the game.
Carlisle were widely expected to make wholesale changes at the break, but settled on just the fve while Reds kicked-off unchanged.
After a quiet opening Reds almost took the lead. Jonny Wright beat Collin to a long ball down the left, composed himself and, from an acute angle, lobbed the back-pedalling goalkeeper but hit the crossbar.
Minutes later, Reds made their first changes; Stephen Hindmarch and Tymon were replaced by Jonny Blake and Aaron Taylor (who almost made an instant impact). Vipond dispossessed Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and played in Taylor whose strong shot was straight at Collin.
The game then became very scrappy as Workington defended deep and Carlisle struggled to break them down. It needed a lift and this was provided on 77 minutes with the introduction of Hopper, who was warmly received by all four corners of Borough Park.
Hopper, who was given the captain’s armband, was also joined on the pitch by Gareth Arnison for his first match action of the pre-season. Unfortunately, neither seemed able to provide the Reds with a spark and the game looked destined to finish goalless.
With minutes remaining, Lee Andrews took a knock to his ankle and had to go off. The referee allowed David Hewson, who had earlier been replaced by Andrew Langford, to return to the field in his place and his first task was to defend a corner kick.
Hewson took a few moments to prepare himself; this included tying his bootlaces in the six-yard box. The Carlisle corner was eventually taken short to Patrick Cregg, who delivered a deep cross that was met firmly at the far post by fellow trialist Nick Wood to score the winning goal.
The goal was perhaps a little harsh on the Reds, who had defended resolutely and frustrated a very good Carlisle side for most of the game. Still, there are many positives that can be drawn from this work out. May and Vipond in particular competed impressively and didn’t look far out of place against players of League One calibre.
At the final whistle, the Workington players created a guard of honour for the retiring skipper as a mark of respect. His ex-boss certainly has his work cut out to replace the player, and the man, who was held in the highest esteem by all that knew and worked with him.
Workington now have a full week to prepare for their next fixture, a trip to Penrith on Tuesday 20th.
Attendance: 676
Reds: Aaran Taylor, Hewson (Langford 74), Rowntree (White 74), May, Andrews (Hewson 87), Vipond (Hopper 77), Hindmarch (Blake 55), McLuckie (Arnison 77), Tinnion (Colulo 68), Tymon (Aaron Taylor 55), J. Wright (Ruttledge 74).
Carlisle: Collin (Gillespie 68), Simek (Kane 45), Murphy (Kavanagh 74), Harte (Wood 70), McDaid (Swinglehurst 77), Simpson (Taiwo 45), Cregg, Berrett (Bridge-Wilkinson 45), Gibson (Thirlwell 45), Madine (Bowman 45) Zoko (Cook 64).
Referee: Mr Lee Metcalfe, Preston
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