Poor defence costs Reds
Last updated 12:24, Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Workington 0 Burscough 1: There was a familiar pattern to Workington’s latest home set-back as Burscough snatched a narrow victory to avenge a similar 1-0 victory by Reds back in October.
Plenty of effort and industry; occasional periods of pleasing football were the pluses but poor defending gave the opposition a goal start and Reds couldn’t find an end product.
It was Workington’s fifth 1-0 home defeat since January 22 and in the last 11 games at Borough Park the west Cumbrians have won only three times.
Yet the way they have been performing of late Reds are just as likely to go away to champions Kettering on Saturday and give a display which makes a mockery of their form at Borough Park.
It was a lively, open game but devoid of clear-cut chances for a long-time and neither goalkeeper had to make a save until the hour mark.
Workington’s Arran Taylor, given his third start of the season, had no chance with the only goal of the game, scored deep into first-half stoppage time.
The Reds gave the ball away cheaply on the edge of the Burscough penalty area and a long ball down the right from Adam Flynn always had possibilities for the visitors.
It depended on Ciaran Kilheeney being able to make progress beyond the covering defender Dan Kirkup.
He did so neatly, flicking the ball over the centre-half and then after making ground into the area he unselfishly laid it across to the unmarked Allan Smart.
The former Carlisle United striker, an ex-team-mate of Reds boss Darren Edmondson, sweetly rifled his shot into the bottom corner.
Taylor had handled confidently on three occasions when the ball was tossed into the penalty area but had not been forced into any extended saves – and it was pretty similar in the second-half as well.
His only moment of alarm came late on when Craig Moore swept a low cross into the box and Kilheeney took it on immediately with a first-time shot on the run which thudded against the bar.
Taylor’s opposite number Tony McMillan had a trouble-free first-half but had more to do from the hour mark.
He went down to hold a shot from Jonny Wright and was smart to get down almost on his line to keep out a sharp backward header by Kyle May when he got on the end of a corner at the near post.
But he knew nothing about a shot from Dave Hewson which whistled inches over the top. Matthew Berkeley had teed-up the chance with a measured pass and unfortunately Hewson took a knock in getting in the shot, which could finish his season.
Then late on in the game Berkeley again scooped the ball goalwards as he appeared to be dragged down but the referee saw nothing amiss, and nobody was able to force the ball home at the far post for what would have been a deserved equaliser.
It was a game which probably should have finished all square but Burscough don’t do away draws! They have now completed their fixtures on the road and have either won or lost them – with 11 victories and 10 defeats.
MATCH FACTS
STAR MAN: KYLE MAY – Just when we thought his season was over he has come back refreshed and ready for more. Solid performance marred by another knock which might keep him out of the Kettering game.
KEY MOMENT: Reds giving the ball away deep in Burscough territory and then being caught on the break in the second minute of time added on to the first-half.
Reds: Taylor, Andrews, Rowntree, May, Kirkup, Hewson (McLuckie 69), Anthony, Johnston, Anthony, Reed (Berkeley 45), J. Wright, A. Wright (Nicholson 67).
Subs (not used): Gray, Collin.
Referee: Bernard Law
Crowd: 365
