Reds secure three vital points against visitors Nantwich Town

The Dabbers made the long trip to Borough Park on Boxing Day but left empty handed as Reds ground out a hard-fought win.

It wasn’t an easy win but Reds were starting to show some of the form that saw them reach the play-off final last season.

Workington were the better side for the majority of the first half, with some great attacking play on display.

Joe McGee was once more to the fore of the action and he was taking on the Nantwich defence with gusto.

But as the half went on, the visitors came back into the game and showed why they were seventh in the table before the day started.

Former Reds player Joe Mwasile had one of the best chances of the first half but they could not find a way through the Reds defence – but neither could Reds extend their lead.

But in the second half, after a shaky start, Reds took hold of the game with two great goals from Dave Symington and Rob Wilson to take the game by the horns.

Reds started brightly, forcing a corner in the first minute. Conor Tinnion curled it in and Kyle May’s initial connection was blocked, as was Joe McGee’s and the latter’s second attempt went wide.

Another good opportunity fell to McGee but this time his shot hit the outstretched feet of the Nantwich keeper.

The rebound only went as far as Elliot Newby but his shot was blasted high and wide.

It was from a free kick that Reds finally got their noses in front. Inside the 14th minute Jake Simpson curled the ball in from 30-yards out and it beat the keeper to go in at the top corner for 1-0.

May met another corner just minutes later but this time the keeper held on to his headed attempt.

Tinnion tried to get in on the act as Reds kept pushing their visitors but the keeper got down to halt his drive and regathered before the onrushing Scott Allison could reach him.

Nantwich then came away on the break with Mwasile looking dangerous as he took on Aaran Taylor in the Reds goal. But in the end he ran it out of play and Reds escaped.

McGee broke away after a Nantwich free kick was halted and he beat several men to put Reds into a good position but the visiting defence eventually snuffed out the danger.

As the half went on Nantwich began to improve and upped the pace coming more into the game and they had their chances, Reds defence being called upon to clear on a couple of occasions.

It was again McGee that looked dangerous for Reds as he took on the keeper at close range but it was blocked and went out for a corner, which was dealt with.

Reds were handed another corner into the final minute of time added on but Nantwich held out and the home side took a slender 1-0 lead in at the break.

Into the second half and Nantwich had a couple of early chances. Ibou Touray had a great run down the left hand side and beat his defender before laying it into the path of Wayne Riley. But luckily for Reds, Riley missed his opportunity as he put his attempt wide of the goal, before being replaced minutes later.

Then Mwasile got into the area on the opposite side of the field but his attempt went across the target and out for a goal kick.

Taylor kept Workington in front as Mwasile and Ryan Brooke both bore down on him but he managed to come out and clear the danger.

Nantwich kept on coming with Joel Stair having a shot from long distance just go over the bar before Reds tried to hit back with a ball lofted in looking for Allison who just couldn’t get there before the keeper.

Allison had another chance inside the area which was blocked by Nantwich and put out for a corner. It was put into the area and James Earl saw his shot blocked on the line.

Dave Symington, on for Simpson, then saw his effort from distance sail just over the crossbar with the keeper beaten. The only downside for Reds was as McGee turned his hand to defending he picked up an injury in a tackle, leaving the field to be replaced by Jack Ryan.

And then came a blow as Nantwich equalised with a sloppy goal as far as Reds were concerned as Brooke popped up unmarked at the far post to slot a cross home in the 74thminute.

But just two minutes later Symington put Workington back in front as he cut inside and let loose a powerful left-footed shot which slammed into the back of the net.

It was Rob Wilson who put the game beyond doubt in the 86th minute. He twisted and turned to get what looked to be an impossible shot away and it rocketed into the back of the net for 3-1.

Reds survived a late flurry from Nantwich to run out 3-1 victors and start the climb back up the league ladder.