Workington reserves clinched the Lancashire League Western Division title when they beat closest rivals Fleetwood Town 2-1 at Borough Park.

It was sweet revenge for the Reds to wrap-up the championship against a team who had recently  beaten them 3-0 at Fleetwood – their only defeat of the League season.

Now Reds will hope to go on and complete the double when they host Farsley Celtic on Saturday (3pm) at Borough Park in the final of the League Cup.

As there is no trophy for each Divisional winner, the clash between Reds and Farsley could be seen as a decider because Celtic look as though they are going to win the Eastern Division.

Reds had all the early pressure against Fleetwood with Steven Rudd and Tony Nicholson both going close to opening the scoring in the first five minutes.

It was no surprise when Workington did take the lead after the visitors had conceded a corner.

Goalkeeper Michael Hale failed to collect the flag-kick and when the ball fell to Ross Johnston he made no mistake from eight yards.

Dan Carmichael and Nicholson were tireless performers up-front, always looking for work with or without the ball while Dan Gullen(pictured) gave a man-of-the-match performance in mid-field.

Workington doubled their lead on 35 minutes after Nicholson flicked the ball over a defender to Gullen who surged past the first defensive challenge before drilling his shot past the helpless Hale from ten yards.

Fleetwood had hardly threatened in the first-half and ten minutes after the restart they looked to be out of it when defender James Hone was sent-off for a dangerous foul on David Renyard.

It was somewhat of a surprise when Fleetwood reduced the deficit on 75 minutes from the penalty spot after Kyle May was ruled to have fouled a Fleetwood forward. Chris Watkinson beat Aaron Taylor with the resultant spot-kick.

Nicholson went close to restoring Reds’ two-goal cushion and then five minutes from the end Fleetwood substitute Michael Tallentire was shown a second yellow card within eleven minutes for a late challenge and joined team-mate Horne in the dressing room.

In injury time a 25 yard shot from Rudd was finger-tipped onto the post and eventually to safety by the outstanding Hale – the last significant action of a game deservedly won by the new League champions.

Reds reserves: Taylor, McLuckie, R. Johnston, May, Jardine, Gullen, Rudd, Renyard (Adamson 85), Carmichael, Seggie (Rayson 69), Nicholson (Rae 85). Subs not used: C. Johnston, Pettit.

Man of Match:Dan Gullen pictured)

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