Barwell 0 Workington Reds 2

A third successive win at the Kirkby Road ground kept Workington’s season alive and avenged a narrow defeat at Borough Park back in August.

Two early goals and an excellent defensive display laid the foundation for Reds’ 22nd league win, which keeps them on the coat tails of the play-off contenders.

It left a proud David Hewson praising his team after a demanding schedule which, due to the Ilkeston situation, has seen Reds play three successive away games, the last two in five days.

“We are delighted with the performance and can’t praise the players enough for their efforts in what has been a tough week,” he said.

“It keeps us in contention but, as has been the case all season, we’ll concentrate on the next game only.”

A sensible if clichéd approach to what promises to be an exciting climax to the Evo-Stik Premier Division season.

Blyth Spartans were deservedly crowned champions at the weekend but nine of the chasing pack, including Reds, believe they can break into that top five.

With less than a fortnight of the regular campaign remaining, there are numerous fixtures between promotion chasing rivals to be played, ensuring plenty of points to be won and lost.

What looked to be shaping up for a typical end-of-season game, on a dry uneven pitch, burst into life after 14 minutes. Reds got their noses in front and, from that moment, produced an assured performance which oozed confidence.

Scott Allison dispossessed Eddie Nisevic on the touchline, jinked inside and set-up Rob Wilson on the edge of the area. His goal-bound shot was charged down by Declan Towers and, amid loud appeals for "hand-ball", the referee pointed to the spot.

Wilson stepped up to convert the penalty, sending young goalkeeper Max Smith-Varnham in the opposite direction to the ball.

Four minutes later, Reds doubled their advantage, once again finding joy down the right flank. Jake Simpson crossed superbly with the outside of his right boot and, although Jack Ryan’s initial touch was a little heavy, the striker was able to swivel and sent a firm low shot past the helpless keeper.

Two goals down, mid-table Barwell took a while to recover but when they did threaten it came via the expected set-piece routine. Alex Tomkinson’s well flighted corner was met by Craig Stanley whose header just drifted wide.

The same player was denied a second time, also following a corner, when the well positioned Simpson headed the ball off the line.

The visitors had two opportunities to add to their tally before the break but Conor Tinnion’s lob just cleared the bar and Ryan’s shot from distance didn’t have the power to trouble Smith-Varnham.

Barwell resumed with a bit more purpose but failed to reduce the arrears with a couple of well-worked chances. Courtney Meade’s back header, via Lee Hildreth’s assist, was confidently gathered by Aaran Taylor and Meade’s route to goal was then thwarted by a superbly timed Dan Wordsworth tackle.

Wordsworth, playing his first full game at this level for two years, was outstanding along with his defensive colleagues who looked compact and solid throughout.

They did have one scare when Towers’ header rattled the crossbar, via another Hildreth corner, but otherwise were in control.

Tinnion was twice denied by Smith-Varnham with the goalkeeper’s second of two smart stops producing generous applause from players and spectators alike.

Barwell thought they had grabbed a consolation goal just before the end when Nisevic’s close-range volley looked set to bulge the net, but Taylor’s brilliant reflex save preserved the clean sheet.

A resolute back four, workmanlike midfield and lively front play when opportunities presented themselves blended into the complete away performance.

With five games to go, it’s still all to play for.

Barwell: Smith-Varnham, Davis, Nisevic, Stanley, Towers, Tomkinson (Julien, 60), Story (Mwanyongo, 60), Hildreth, Meade (Baldwin, 73), Hickey, Ball. Subs: Castle, Barlone (not used).

Reds: Taylor, Simpson, Rowntree, Wordsworth, Smith, Earl, Allison, Wilson, Ryan (Waterston, 64), Joel (Symington, 77), Tinnion. Substitutes – Douglas, Hebson, Hewson (not used).

Referee: Mark Howes, Solihull

Bookings: Hildreth (Barwell), Smith, Allison (Workington)

Attendance: 187

Star Man: Although skipper Gari Rowntree ran him close, Dan Wordsworth made a seamless return to the Reds’ back four following his adventure in Australian football.