Morale-booster but Reds still can’t win on the road
Last updated 12:38, Monday, 01 September 2008
Alfreton 0 Workington 0: In local cricket it would have been a winning draw and in boxing parlance a win on points, but it doesn’t happen that way in Blue Square North.
Darren Edmondson and his men had to settle for a single point, their first on the road in three attempts, but an important addition to the early-season tally.
The away point in Derbyshire followed a comfortable home win over Burscough and added to the growing confidence in the side.
A clean sheet – only the second of the season – was important, too, after a series of worrying lapses at set-piece situations.
The fact that Reds travelled to the Impact Arena without three experienced and influential players and came away with a good point was another major plus for the manager.
Kyle May (suspended) and Graham Anthony (damaged toe) will be missing again tonight when Reds make a quick follow-up trip, this time to Droylsden, but there may be a chance for Tony Hopper (hamstring) to rejoin the squad.
Edmondson said: “I’ll re-assess the situation when I’ve spoken to everybody, leaving it as late as possible, but for us to do as well as we did without those three experienced men, was encouraging.
“We all have worries about the size of the squad but the way everyone responded when we were short of three quality players, pleased me.”
Dan Kirkup, who came in for May, formed an effective partnership at the heart of the defence with man of the match Lee Andrews – handling Alfreton’s aerial route to goal confidently and capably.
With goalkeeper Adam Collin also taking responsibility to come out forcefully and punch effectively, much of the anticipated Alfreton threat was nullified.
Hopper and Anthony were replaced in mid-field by a re-shuffle which saw Dan Robinson and Craig Johnston restored to the line-up and Shaun Vipond moved inside.
Although there weren’t the eye-catching guile (Anthony) and pressing (Hopper) the new-look mid-field all showed good industry and a work ethic which suited the purpose of the occasion.
There was a spell in the first-half when Workington were put under a bit of pressure but the nearest the home side came to scoring was a fierce shot from Jordan Hall which flew inches over the bar.
The Workington defenders, to a man, put bodies on the line with some effective blocking and intercepting so the Achilles heel – corners and free-kicks - were protected adequately.
Workington had an early opportunity when a good ball over the top from Andrews released the hard-working Jonny Wright down the left. He got to the by-line but his first time pull-back aimed for strike partner Gareth Arnison was well-claimed by keeper Tom Evans.
Chances were few and far between but the best ball of the game from acting skipper Dave Hewson saw Anthony Wright get in behind the full-back. He completely miscued and swerved the ball wide from a good position – but his blushes might have been spared by the raised flag on the far side of the field.
In the second-half, however, all the bright stuff came from Workington and they were unlucky not to make the break-through.
Jonny Wright was usually involved. His best effort saw him go on a driving run down the middle and a left-foot shot on the run easily beat Evans but cannoned back into play off the post,.
Then the best flowing move of the game saw Reds break from their own penalty area.
Again another fine clearing ball from Hewson found Jonny Wright out on the right. He ran at the rather static central defensive pairing of Paul Ellender and Martin McIntosh, cut inside between the pair before hitting another low left foot shot past the post.
On another occasion Jonny Wright was out on the left and did well to get in a cross aimed for Arnison but fortunately for Alfreton it took a deflection off McIntosh and Evans was able to recover and dive on the loose ball before it reached the Workington striker.
Workington only had one real moment of concern in the second-half. Ben Muirhead did well out on the left, cutting inside Hewson before firing in a low shot which Collin did well to block with his legs and then smother before an Alfreton forward could react.
MATCH FACTS
STAR MAN – LEE ANDREWS: Has been Reds most consistent performer this season so far and was again on the top of his game with a dominant display at the heart of the defence.
Workington: Collin, Hewson, Rowntree, Kirkup, Andrews, Robinson, Johnston, Vipond, Arnison (Hardman), J. Wright, A. Wright. Subs not used: Gullen, Earl, McLuckie, Edmondson.
Referee: Duncan Street, West Yorkshire
Crowd: 316
