Gainsborough Trinity 1, Workington 1

A goal two minutes from the end deprived Workington of their fifth straight win of the season – and what would have been their tenth in succession on opposition soil.

The Reds were slow to clear a desperate late Trinity attack and eventually Barrow loanee Andrew Milne lashed a low shot through a crowded area and beyond the stranded Aaran Taylor.

High profile manager Brian Little would feel his side deserved the point for their second-half industry and pressure, but for the most part Reds had been comfortable in the way they dealt with sustained attacks.

Gainsborough aren’t pretty to watch and it became a battle long before the end to deal with the physical side of their make-up – but Darren Edmondson’s side coped well.

Over the 90 minutes, though, this was Workington’s least effective performance so far but although their 100% record was dented, they remain unbeaten – and still in third place.

Reds very rarely found any passing rhythm going forward as any real honours were gained on the defensive side with the usual suspects to the fore, particularly Shaun Vipond, Kyle May and Gari Rowntree.

Vipond’s work-rate is phenomenal and he has started the season at the top of his form. There was every indication that he would become a key player at Borough Park following the retirement of Tony Hopper and that’s exactly how it is panning out.

Workington’s good start to the season has been based on a collective industry, an inspiring team spirit and a desire to play a passing game whenever possible. There was nothing wrong with the first two features at the Northolme but the nature of the game and the opposition restricted the third.

Yet Reds could have made a flying start with a goal in the first minute from their first attack.

Vipond lifted a ball deep into the area for Anthony Wright who had made an incisive run which wasn’t picked-up. Eight yards out and to the right of goal he swivelled and got in a first-time shot but didn’t connect properly and keeper Phil Barnes made a comfortable save.

Although Trinity forced a series of corners – six to one in the first-half – they didn’t seriously trouble the Cumbrians and the next real opportunity fell to Workington.

Rowntree did well on the left getting into space and producing a deep, lifted cross. Jonny Wright times his run perfectly to lose his marker but from a great position headed just wide.

But Workington did make the breakthrough on 25 minutes with another excellent goal from skipper Dave Hewson.

Edmondson has demanded more goals from midfield this season and so far he’s had six with ‘Dabba’, Vipond and Phil McLuckie contributing two each.

Leon Hibbert was caught coming out of his own area and a quick one two between Gareth Arnison and Hewson so the skipper’s delightful left foot chip clear Barnes and drop below the bar.

Hewson, in fact, came closest to scoring at the other end albeit unintentionally as he did his defensive duties well. He went up to a free-kick into the Workington box ahead of Jefferson Louis and his deflected header had Taylor scrambling across goal to palm it away.

Workington rarely posed a serious threat in the second-half, although one particularly good passage of play down the left involving Rowntree and Anthony Wright put Arnison into space and his curled shot on the run wasn’t too far beyond Barnes’ left hand post.

Probably the best opportunity came late on after Gainsborough had levelled. McLuckie got round the back on the right and his well-placed cross found the head of Jonny Wright on the angle of the six yard box but his header flashed over the top.

Dropping the first points of the season against a competitive Gainsborough side wasn’t a disaster, given Reds excellent start and Edmondson will be determined to renew the winning habit at Borough Park this afternoon.

STAR MAN: SHAUN VIPOND – In a rich vein of form, epitomising the Workington team ethic with another busy and industrious show in midfield, but more than just a simple ball winner with some excellent prompting.

Reds: Taylor, Langford, Rowntree, May, White, Vipond, McLuckie, Hewson, J. Wright, Arnison, A, Wright (Tinnion 77). Subs (Not used) Hindmarch, Tymon, Blake, Andrews.

Referee:  Adam McIntyre, Doncaster

Crowd: 362 #

To listen to Darren Edmondson give his views on the game to BBC Radio Cumbria's John Walsh just click on http://www.getnoticedonline.co.uk/audio/reds/gainsborough-1-1-workington-darren-edmondson.html

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