Dave Symington scores two penalties from the spot and misses one in Reds win

You could not have written the script for this match if you had tried.

Workington Reds fans would have been forgiven for thinking this was not going to be their day at half time.

The home side were not in the best of form in the opening 45 minutes against mid-table Mickleover Sports.

But then, an explosive eight-minute spell just inside the opening of the second half saw Reds build a 4-1 lead, which they carried until full-time.

Dave Symington finished with a hat-trick and it could have been more as he stepped up to the penalty spot no less than three times, one being saved as well as scoring a superb volley into the top corner.

And up front, Jack Ryan was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with probably his best performance to date as Reds moved up to sixth place in the Evo Stik Northern Premier.

Most fans would write off the first half. Reds looked to be on top in the earlier stages but a host of shots could not find the target and ironically they had a penalty call waved away by referee Lindsey Robinson.

Mickleover came to life after about 15 minutes and began to test the Reds defence.

Jack Broadhead found space but his shot went wide. Then, they broke again through Andy Dale and he sent Jack Dickinson on the hunt but Josh Calvert put in a perfectly-timed tackle to dispel the threat.

Slightly against the run of play, the visitors won a free kick just outside the area and it was put in by player/manager John McGrath.

Tony Burgin rose up to meet it and he slammed it into the far corner to beat Taylor and hand Mickleover the lead.

This seemed to spur them on as a second free kick was put in by McGrath, this time from the right-hand side, again aiming for the tall figure of Burgin.

Taylor got a slight touch this time to put it out for a corner and Reds were able to clear.

Scott Allison had an opportunity at the opposite end but he was closed down by Jamie Green in the Mickleover goal and his effort went wide.

Coming up to the half hour mark and Jack Ryan got the ball in space on the edge of the area. His shot tested the keeper, who had to gather at the second attempt.

Both sides then hit the post inside a minute, first Jake Dickinson bore down on Taylor before unleashing his effort which rebounded off the post.

Then, at the opposite end, Scott Allison looked to have levelled matters for Reds but he was left with his head in hands after his effort met the same treatment from the post.

Pablo Mills met a corner for Sports but it went straight into the waiting arms of Taylor and Reds broke away.

Allison turned in the box and put in a great cross across the face of the goal but Ryan just couldn't get there in time and the half came to a close.

The second half was only two minutes old when the real action began. Reds were awarded a penalty for handball in the area.

Symington stepped up to take the spot-kick and thumped it into the back of the net to level matters at 1-1.

But Symington's second goal, in the 51st minute, was his best. James Earl crossed the ball into the area and he connected with a powerful volley.

The finish was superb as the Mickleover keeper was picking the ball up from the back of his net once again.

Seconds later and Reds were awarded a second penalty as Allison went down in the area. But this time, Green proved his worth in the goal as he saved Symington's effort.

However, Reds were not without a third goal for long. Rob Wilson struck a superb volley into the top corner, leaving the keeper no chance.

Blink and you might miss it as the excitement continued at Borough Park when a third penalty was awarded as Jack Ryan was pushed in the box and again the ref pointed to the spot.

Symington faced off against his nemesis for a third time in the space of eight minutes and, this time, it was the Reds man who came out on top once again.

Green got a hand to the ball but it was not enough to stop it reaching the back of the net and securing a quick-fire hat-trick for Symington.

The former Carlisle man went on the hunt for a fourth as he unleashed another powerful shot that just clipped the top of the crossbar.

Into the last eight minutes and Broadhead had a good chance from close range but Taylor made a great save to deny him.

Reds continued to test their visitors, Tinnion put in a corner that was initially cleared before it fell to Calvert but his effort went over the bar.

And the game ended in a more leisurely fashion but it was Reds who took the most from their opportunities and won the day.

Reds: Taylor, Simpson, Rowntree, May, Calvert, Earl (Wright 61), Symington (Smith 87), Wilson, Ryan, Allison (Waterston 79), Tinnion. Subs (not used): Douglas, Fowler.

Goals: Symington 48 pen, 51, 56 pen, Wilson 54.

Yellow cards: Earl 30.

Mickleover: Green, Gilhooly (Lansdowne 59), Ptak, McGrath, Mills, Burgin, Dales, Scott, Belgrave, Dickinson (Thomas 79), Broadhead.

Goals: Burgin 21.

Yellow cards: Broadhead 77, Scott 85, Lansdowne 88.

Referee: Lindsey Robinson.

Half time: 0-1.

Crowd: 448.