Workington Reds 1 Penrith AFC 0

Nathan Waterston has scored 997 runs for Furness Cricket Club this season, to be the leading amateur batsman, but it’s scoring goals which will be his main priority over the next nine months.

He pushed his claims for a start in Workington’s opening league game in 10 days’ time when he headed the only goal of the penultimate friendly at Borough Park.

Waterston, a former Penrith player, got on the end of a Sam Joel cross on 16 minutes to head home and send Reds to Clitheroe for the final work-out game on a three-match winning run.

Sam Bell had the first shot of the game in the third minute after Reds got in a tangle on the edge of their box, but his effort was wide.

The visitors, who start their competitive season on Saturday against West Auckland in the FA Cup, came again through Elliot Bousfield down the left but some clever defending from Jake Simpson earned Reds possession.

There could easily have been a card for Martyn Coleman in the ninth minute but referee Kevin Mulraine clearly decided a lecture would suffice in a friendly. Coleman had been fouled by Jamie Mellon and reacted by picking-up the ball and throwing at the back of the defender’s head.

The free-kick was cleared by Simpson beyond the back post and Reds went on to force the first corner of the game but both Rob Wilson and Nathan Waterston had shots blocked.

Penrith should have taken the lead on 16 minutes when Andy Murray-Jones lifted a ball over the Reds' defence for Bousfield to chase. He got there ahead of Aaran Taylor but drilled his shot the wrong side of the post.

It proved costly because Reds went in front on the counter. Joel supplied a perfect cross for Waterston to leap unchallenged and direct a thumping header into the net.

It sparked a spell of pressure from the Reds, who forced three corners in quick succession, but Penrith survived.

Joel went off after 21 minutes, still feeling the effects of a foul tackle by Adam Main earlier in the game.

A cross from Dave Symington was headed clear and Wilson drove in a fierce shot from the edge of the area but he was off target.

Wilson had an opportunity from a dead-ball situation after Waterston had been fouled by Main five yards outside the area but he curled the free kick over.

Then, it was substitute Conor Tinnion cutting in from the right who let fly with his left foot but was just over the bar.

Reds were settling down well, playing some good football, and getting in plenty of shots although keeper Cameron Copland was relieved to see most off target.

Both teams resumed unchanged after the break but, with eight substitutes, Penrith had plenty of options available as the half wore on.

Workington had the first effort on goal when Smith got forward to get on the end of a Tinnion free-kick but his header was wide.

Penrith replied instantly and Coleman engineered a shooting chance in the area but Taylor made a good block. At the other end, Tinnion had appeals for a penalty as he tricked his way into the box and went down but the referee saw nothing wrong.

Reds second change of the game came on 53 minutes when goal-scorer Waterston was replaced by Jack Ryan.

When Bell threaded a great ball inside Mellon for Coleman to race on to, Taylor had to be out smartly to smother the shot, but the flag was raised for offside.

Penrith were starting to enjoy more possession but a couple of free-kicks were easily dealt with by the Reds defence.

Then when Reds were awarded a free-kick on the right-hand corner of the box, Tinnion curled his effort over the bar. A clutch of substitutions followed with Luke Miller, Dean Crozier and Nicky Davidson on for Penrith and James Earl for Reds.

Simpson did really well, linking with Wilson down the right and supplying a vicious, curling cross which evaded everyone.

Jamie Hodgson was the next to be used from the bench for Penrith on 74 minutes and, two minutes later, Reds made their final change with Matty Douglas replacing the outstanding Dan Wordsworth.

When Douglas failed to control a high ball down the left, Bousfield nipped in and Wright, who had also been a leading performer for the Reds, got across to make a vital clearance.

Reds, who had been less effective in the second half on the ball, did get a chance on the break bit Ryan’s shot on the run skimmed the side netting.

Robbie Hebson and Matty Moynan were the next Penrith subs on 81 minutes and some lively play from Hebson set-up a corner three minutes from the end but Reds cleared comfortably.