By John Fuller

Last updated at 11:30, Saturday, 28 July 2012

Workington Reds 0 Barrow 0 (Agg: 0-3): Injury-plagued Workington Reds lost the Chas Kendall Trophy after drawing 0-0 with rivals Barrow.

Workington Reds' Jonny Wright

Manager Darren Edmondson was without captain David Hewson, who has damaged cartilage in his right knee.

Lee Andrews also missed the draw with acute tendonitis, and is not expected back to action until November at the earliest. The experienced defender is undergoing steroid injections in his groin to help the problem.

Anthony Wright missed the clash with an impact injury, while Kyle May limped off with a twisted ankle.

Both players are expected to be fit for the friendly with Lancaster next Saturday.

Edmondson said: “Losing first team regulars is obviously a concern. We’re at a stage where we wanted the majority of the squad finalised so we could concentrate on getting ready for the season.

“That’s not the case and we will have to bring in some strikers, a midfielder and a defender as a matter of urgency.”

Drawing with the Bluebirds was not enough to retain the trophy after Reds lost the first leg 3-0 at Holker Street.

It was a game with limited chances as neither side was able to assert their dominance.

The best Workington produced in the first half was a speculative effort by trialist Steve Connor.

The tiny front man let fly from 25 yards, but his shot lacked any real power and goalkeeper Shaun Pearson was able to save comfortably.

Jonny Wright was a handful for the Barrow defenders with his physical presence, and the striker brought Pearson into action just before the break with a neat shot.

Unfortunately, the shot-stopper was equal to it at his near post.

And lively Mark Sloan had a 25 yard free-kick blocked by Pearson after Wright was bundled to the deck by Ben Hoskins.

Barrow had chances of their own through Adam Boyes, but the usually prolific striker was denied by in-form Aaran Taylor.

After the break, Hoskins was first to try his luck, but the winger tried to be too clever and fluffed his lines. The impressive Taylor made another smart block on 50 minutes from Sean Hessey’s fiercely-driven free-kick.

The second half saw both sides play at a higher tempo than the first, but was spoilt by constant substitutions.

Ryan Hall, Jake Smith, Stefan Scott, Gari Rowntree and Gareth Arnison all came on with trialists Wayne Curtis and Ellis Healing as well as Wright, Sam Smith and May making way.

Dan Wordsworth almost gave Workington the lead, but his header on 52 minutes flashed wide from Connor’s wicked free-kick.

Boyes had more opportunities, but couldn’t beat Taylor, who is expected to rejoin Workington after a trial with Carlisle United.

Afterwards, Edmondson added: “I was impressed with a number of the trialists.

“Steve looked good. He showed some neat touches, and obviously has some ability.

“Dan (Ting) was recommended by an agent. He’s a product of the Crewe academy and it showed.

“He’s comfortable on the ball, and likes to get it down and play football.

“Sam (Smith) is a product of our reserve team. He’s been with Blackburn Rovers so he’s been bought up to a good standard. He’s a level headed lad, and can play.

“Sam’s twin Jake is also a good player, and someone who we will continue to work with.”

Workington Reds: Taylor, Wordsworth, Ting, May (Arnison 84), S Smith (Rowntree), Sloan, Healing (Hall 65), Curtis (J Smith 65), Wright (Scott 67), Connor, Wraighte

Subs: Renyard, Routledge

Referee: Anthony Backhouse

First published at 10:52, Saturday, 28 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk