Workington AFC - The Reds - Reds Youth Cup 2009-10

Workington AFC Youth

FA Youth Cup, Second Round Qualifying
Wed 7 October 2009

CONGLETON TOWN 1 - 0 WORKINGTON

The Reds youngsters exited the FA Youth Cup at Congleton on Wednesday evening after a closely fought entertaining game that left the Reds manager Steve Lee disappointed with the result but pleased with the performance.

Facing a strong Congleton side that included eight players from the Macclesfield and District Under 18 side, the Reds Youth team put in a spirited performance that deserved at least a goal and pushing the tie into extra time.

The Congleton side started the stronger and dominated possession for the first ten minutes without any serious threat on Reds ‘keeper Lee Jolly’s goal, but on 14 minutes the Bears midfield found a defence splitting pass that put striker Alex Whealan through on goal, with just ‘keeper Lee Jolly to beat, Whealan slotted the ball into the corner of the net.

Manager Steve Lee would have been proud of the Reds youngster’s response as they immediately picked up their game and dominated the remainder of the first half.

Long range shots from Stefan Scott and the ever lively and creative Jordan Lee failed to trouble the confident Congleton ‘keeper Tom Horsefield around the 20 minute mark, but Jordan Lee was unlucky with his next attempt on goal that took a fortunate deflection that diverted the ball just wide of the post with ‘keeper Horsefield scrambling across his line.

Jordan Lee was in the action when a cross to the far post that appeared to be going over his head, but showing great athleticism and skill he fired in an overhead shot that Horsefield saved well just inside the far post.

In the final few minutes of the first half the Reds were piling on the pressure looking for the equaliser but the Reds skipper Adam Main shoot on the turn was easily taken by Horsefield, while Callum Lee’s 30 yard drive drifted just wide of the angle of the bar and post.

On the 45 minute mark, Callum Lee’s free kick into the Bears penalty area was met by defender Dion Barnes but frustratingly his powerful header shaved the wrong side of the crossbar.

Deep in first half injury time a thunderous strike from a Congleton player was bravely blocked by Dion Barnes, the ball striking him in the face and going behind to safety.

From the resultant corner the Reds ‘keeper Lee Jolly kept this side in the tie with a magnificent one handed save denying the Bears midfielder Jia Maw what would have been a cracking goal.

The second half started much like the first with initially Congleton dominating the play and on 50 minutes the tall Bears’ striker Tom Plant hit a curling 25 yard first time shot that struck the far post with ‘keeper Lee Jolly stranded.

The Reds won a number of corners in the second period and from a Jordan Lee in-swinging corner should have equalised. Stefan Scott rose unchallenged but failed to get sufficient on the ball and it missed just wide of the far post, but it was not all one way as Lee Jolly had to pull off a fine block with his legs to deny Congleton their second goal of the night.

With eight minutes remaining the Reds had their best opportunity of the game. Stefan Scott was put through on goal with only the keeper to beat, but apparently going for placement rather than power, he shot weakly straight at the keeper much to the enthusiastic local crowds relief.

In the final few minutes the Reds youngsters strived for their deserved equaliser and two minutes into injury time they nearly pulled it off. Substitute Liam Taylor hit a powerful shot from just inside the penalty area that was heading for the goal just inside the far post only to see ‘keeper Tom Horsefield pull off a magnificent save, diverting the ball around the post to ensure the victory for the home side.

Reds: Lee Jolly, Simon Bragg, Sam Smith, Dan McDermott (Greg Mitchell ), Dion Barnes, Callum Lee, Jordan Lee, Adam Main, Stefan Scott (Levi Johnson), Jordan McDowell, Jake Smith (Liam Taylor).

Referee: Mr S Hawkey (Nantwich)

FA Youth Cup, First Round Qualifying
Tue 22 September 2009

WORKINGTON 1 - 1 BOOTLE

(AET – Reds won 6-5 on penalties)

Reds made progress in the FA Youth Cup last night but needed to keep their nerve in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to eventually go through in a tense, often feisty, affair at Borough Park.

Bootle went into the game as favourites and enjoyed more possession than the hosts but shot themselves in the foot with just twelve minutes on the clock. Paul O’Brien had been involved in an incident with Reds defender Simon Bragg but the Bootle midfielder reacted by head-butting his opponent leaving referee Adam Pattison no alternative other than to show him a red card. It became a busy night for the man in black who also produced the yellow card nine times four of which to Reds’ players Adam Main, Dan McDermott, Dion Barnes and Levi Johnson.

Stefan Scott

Steve Lee’s side survived an early onslaught from the visitors and played their best football in the first half. They went ahead after 31 minutes with a superb goal. Stefan Scott, who scored for Reds in the competition last season, found the target with a 25 yard angled drive which left Bootle ‘keeper Connor McHugh helpless.

Bootle dominated the second half but Reds showed great resilience to keep their goal intact. That was until the 72^nd minute when skipper Anthony Miley climbed highest to head home at the far post from a corner.

There were no further goals during normal time, several near misses from Bootle however, but Reds nearly won it towards the end of extra-time. Sam Smith’s free-kick looked bound for the top corner of the net until McHugh stretched out an arm to push the ball onto the bar and over at the expense of a corner.

Simon Bragg

The penalty shoot-out took place at the Town End of the ground and Reds’ goalkeeper Lee Jolly gave the homeside a boost saving James King’s spot-kick. Greg Mitchell and Stef Scott both scored from their kicks but Sam Smith had his effort saved. Jordan Lee, Dan McDermott and Jake Smith (Sam’s twin brother) converted for Reds to make the score 5-5. Jolly saved his second penalty to thwart Ross McDowell then Levi Johnson (Workington) and Todd Blaney (Bootle) blasted their penalties high over the bar. That cleared the stage for Reds' Simon Bragg to blast home the sixteenth and decisive penalty.

It was the first time Workington had been involved in a penalty shoot-out in the FA Youth Cup and their 'reward' will be a trip to play the winners of the Burscough/Congleton Town tie.

Team: Lee Jolly, Simon Bragg, Sam Smith, Dan McDermott, Dion Barnes, Jordan McDowell (Levi Johnson), Jordan Lee, Adam Main, Nick Holden (Greg Mitchell), Stefan Scott and Jake Smith.