Four minute carnage destroys Trophy hopes

Witton, having dominated the opening twenty five minutes but unable to capitalise, saw this season’s Buildbase F.A. Trophy progress destroyed in a manic spell when they conceded three goals in very quick succession!

Tom Owens drifted his shot wide of the left post in the 5th minute and Rob Hopley headed wide soon after. Following a free-kick Will Jones sent his effort into the side netting on 13 minutes and when Micah Evans, seven minutes later slipped the ball to him, Owens this time thumped a half-volley goal-wards which Aaran Taylor acrobatically flicked over at the expense of a corner.

Their inability to take one of those chances when on top proved extremely costly and it was certainly against the run of play when Workington got their noses in front after twenty-nine minutes. A free kick into the box wasn’t properly cleared and, after a bout of head tennis, Matty Douglas rose well to power home a far post header.

Within ninety seconds the lead was doubled, David Symington from the left flank saw his teasing cross cause panic before Scott Allison forced the ball between post and goalkeeper, Calvin Hare, from close range.

Referee Matt Corlett allowed good advantage in the thirty-second minute that led to the third goal. Jordan Holt had been fouled but the ball was picked up by Sam Joel who advanced a few yards before sending a well-struck low shot past Hare to score in the fourth successive game in four different competitions!

Symington then forced Hare into his first real save of the afternoon as he gathered the well-hit attempt.

Witton naturally left the field somewhat shell-shocked at halftime and, within three minutes of the restart, matters deteriorated even further when they conceded a fourth. Joel played the ball out wide to Symington and was there to meet the return and saw his attempted header prodded home by Allison from two yards out.

The introduction of Steve Tames and Prince Haywood produced the unusual sight of Hopley becoming a central defender in an attempt to stem the home team’s flow upfield.

Albion tried in vain to at least grab a consolation goal with Tames and James Foley in particular having efforts but Workington were just as determined to protect their clean sheet.

Taylor didn’t really have much to do but his colleagues were blocking shots and putting bodies on the line repelling Albion’s late flurry of activity.

Skipper Anthony Brown’s needless booking seven minutes from time was the final blow as he’ll now have to sit out a match due to collecting his fifth yellow card of the season.

WORKINGTON: Taylor; Douglas, Rowntree, Wordsworth (McLuckie, 74), Smith, Wright, Symington (Waterston, 80), Holt, Allison, Joel (Wilson, 70) & Tinnion. Subs not used: Earl & Whitehead.

ALBION: Hare; Gardner (Tames 57), Hedley (Lingouba, 65), Ryan, Brown, Williams, Evans (Haywood, 57), Owens, Hopley, Jones & Foley. Subs not used: McKenna & Neild). Bookings: Williams & Brown.