Colne 1-2 Workington Reds

Workington progressed into the second round of the Integro League Cup at Colne after making five changes from Saturday.

It wasn’t a breath-taking performance against struggling First Division opposition, but Reds did get the job done.

Rob Wilson, in his first start after a long injury lay-off, gave Reds a 36th-minute lead, and Sam Joel doubled the advantage after 63 minutes.

A good goal from Adam Morning 20 minutes from time could have made it an uncomfortable finale but Reds saw it through, and should have added to their lead.

As expected, Workington made several changes to the side which had drawn at Hednesford.

Jamie Mellen, Sam Joel, Rob Wilson and Nathan Waterston all started, and there was a debut for former Carlisle United trainee Tommy Whitehead.

Colne had lost nine players in the last fortnight following the departure of the assistant manager.

But they came into the game on the back of their second league win of the season and included four untried teenagers – three of them on the bench.

Workington started on the front foot and the early exchanges were played in the Colne half.

A one-two between Wilson and Mellen could have borne fruit but the final pass was just too strong.

Then, Jordan Holt was fouled 30 yards out by home skipper Simon Nangle but Wilson’s free-kick flew harmlessly past the foot of the post.

Colne had their first threat from a free-kick wide out on the right but Sam Smith easily headed clear.

Then, Lewis Hanley got away down the right but Josh Calvert was covering superbly to win the ball and clear.

At the other end, a lovely ball over the top from Waterston found Whitehead who had a chance, but home keeper Matthew Green came out quickly to smother the ball at his feet.

The Holt House pitch has a pronounced slope and Reds (playing in blue again) were playing up it.

Waterston had a chance in the box but his shot was blocked by Nangle and then Mellen received a long lecture for a rash foul.

Colne had a little spell of pressure which earned them three corners in a minute but Reds cleared them all.

After a bright start, Workington were starting to look a makeshift side and Colne were using the ball better.

Gari Rowntree had to be treated after a clash of heads in the 30th minute and was treated off the pitch.

Against the ten men, Colne won another corner and Waterston did well, helping out to head away from under the bar a dangerous header from Hanley.

Rowntree returned after four minutes and started Reds best move of the half. Mellen Wilson and Holt were all involved before Whitehead sent a strong shot just past the post.

Almost immediately, on 36 minutes, Reds took the lead. Wilson curled in a low shot from just outside the area beyond the keeper into the bottom corner.

Reds, looking better after the goal, should have doubled their lead on 44 minutes.

A great surge and pass by Wilson released Joel and his fierce sot on the run was parried by Green. It flew in the air and Waterston should have hit the target but misdirected his header which was cleared.

Colne made two changes at the break with Danny Wilkins and Williams McMurtrie replacing Lee Gaskell and Nangle.

Reds were close to a second after 47 minutes when Waterston headed a good Mellen cross just past the post.

Then, Joel shot just over after exchanging passes with Mellen.

After a bright resumption, however, Reds had lost their direction but suddenly they doubled their lad.

A ball was played defensively across the edge of the Colne area where it was missed by Jonathan Hodgkinson, Joel was quickly in and slotted the ball home in the 61st minute.

Two minutes later, Reds made two changes with Dan Wordsworth replacing Rowntree, who had suffered a cut eye in the earlier collision, and Cameron Carter coming on for Holt.

They arrived just as Colne reduced the arrears on 71 minutes. Adam Morning turned smartly in the box and fired a great shot past Aaran Taylor.

Colne replaced Bello with Finley Devenney and Reds brought on Dave Symington for Calvert.

Waterston had a chance to restore Reds' two-goal advantage but, after winning a foot race against Hodgkinson, fired straight at Green.

At the other end, a clever turn by Morning on the edge of the box ended with a low shot which Taylor held well.

It was now more end-to-end than it had ever been, with both sides looking better going forward.

Wilson, Reds best on the night, was the next to try his luck from 25 yards and Green had to dive full length to turn it away.

Then, a Wilson free-kick was curled into the area but Wordsworth’s header was too high.

Joel was next with a good turn and low shot on 81 minutes which Green parried and gathered at the second attempt.

In the last minute of the 90, Lee Pugh dropped a free-kick wide of the far post.

Three minutes of added time saw Colne go closest. A good cross from Morning was headed over by Hanley.

Colne: Green, Hilton, Pugh, Lynch, Hodgkinson, Nangle (Wilkins 45), Hartley, Bello (Devenney 71), Morning, Gaskell (McMurtrie 45), Hanley. Subs: (not used) Bosworth, Curran.

Workington: Taylor, Douglas, Rowntree (Wordsworth 64), Calvert (Symington 71), Smith, Mellen, Holt (Carter 63), Wilson, Waterston, Joel, Whitehead. Subs: (not used) Allison, Earl.

Referee: Chris Porter (Preston)

Crowd: 96

Star Man: Rob Wilson