Dismal Reds fail to find form against Gainsborough
Last updated 11:15, Monday, 03 March 2008
WORKINGTON’S dismal run of form continued at Borough Park as the Reds slipped to their sixth defeat in the last seven games.
Conference North: Workington 1, Gainsborough Trinity 2
It’s as well the bottom three in Blue Square North all lost to stay firmly entrenched in the relegation zone, some 10 points behind the west Cumbrians and have played more game.
Reds manager Darren Edmondson said: “Obviously I look at their results but really I want to see us picking-up points ourselves and moving away from the danger zone.
“We have an honest bunch of players and I’ve asked them to analyse over the week-end where they think we went wrong.
“We gave away two silly goals but unfortunately we have too many players short on confidence and form at the moment.
“I thought the 5-0 win over Tamworth was going to kick-start us but we had bad luck in the next two matches and against Gainsborough were poor.”
Workington’s problems are down to consistency – not just week to week, but during a game.
On occasions they look hesitant, unwatchful and an easy touch while at other moments they spread the ball around well so that it looks as though it’s only a question of time. Unfortunately, the time rarely arrives.
Having gifted injury-hit Trinity a goal on 31 minutes Workington had the tonic of an equaliser four minutes after the re-start. That should have been the tonic they needed to go on and post an overdue win on the board.
But it was Gainsborough who finished the stronger and who were deserving winners although they needed a soft penalty to grab all three points.
Workington had seized plenty of territory and possession in the opening quarter without being able to seriously test keeper Adam Sollitt.
Trinity, on the other hand, were happy to play on the break and looked to have increasing opportunities when they did so.
The first goal on 31 minutes saw the excellent Chris Hall link down the left for Jamie Jackson to provide a simple cross into the box.
Veteran David Reeves, pushed into service at the age of 40, showed why he is still regarded with affection in Carlisle United circles. Once their record signing he took a touch and then thumped a shot into the roof of the net before anyone could close him down.
It could have been worse for Reds but Adam Collin did well to get down and turn a shot from Liam Needham into the side-netting.
Edmondson’s half-time team talk was all about getting a quick equaliser and it couldn’t have panned out better as the home side were on the sheet after four minutes of the re-start.
Reds had strong claims for a penalty when Matthew Berkeley went down in the box under a strong challenge from behind but referee Tom Conway saw nothing wrong. Fortunately Berkeley was able to climb back up and lay the ball out to Craig Johnston whose low, curling cross into the box was steered past his own keeper by midfielder Alex Callery.
Somehow Reds just couldn’t get up a head of steam to put Sollitt under sustained pressure.
It was Gainsborough who again looked increasingly likely on the break, although they needed a bit of luck for their winner on 74 minutes.
Hall’s curling free kick from the edge of the area seemed to be drifting wide but it clearly struck the raised hand of home skipper Kyle May. There was almost certainly no intend but the hand was in the wrong place at the wrong time and Mr Conway awarded the spot kick.
Collin went to his left but Hall beat him down the middle and Trinity had the lead again.
Workington’s best effort in what time remained came deep into the five-minute stoppage time. Graham Anthony hit a powerful shot from 25 yards bound for the top corner and Sollitt produced a fine diving save to turn the ball over the bar.
The next four games couldn’t be more contrasting – a trip to promotion-chasing Stalybridge on Saturday immediately followed by a home clash with their neighbours and play-off contenders Hyde. Then it’s old rivals Hinckley and the Easter Saturday visit of Vauxhall – two sides starting to get cut-adrift in the bottom three.
Reds don’t want to get involved in a dog-eat-dog finish to the season so badly need at least one win before those confrontations.
MATCH FACTS
Star man: Not many contenders but GRAHAM ANTHONY was again trying to probe openings for the Reds while Tony Hopper was all-over the place in the cause.
Key moment: The penalty award to Gainsborough which won the game on 74 minutes. Even a point would have put a welcome end to the string of defeats which surround that outstanding effort against Tamworth.
Reds: Collin, Andrews, Rowntree, May, Gray, Johnston (Hewson 64), Anthony, Hopper, Berkeley (Hardman 78), J. Wright, A. Wright. Subs (not used) Gray, McLuckie, Taylor.
Crowd: 343
Referee: Tom Conway
