Workington Reserves 1 - 1 Southport Reserves
Thursday 17th September 2009
A win over second placed Southport would have lifted Reds into fourth position in the Lancashire League but they were left to rue to a host of missed chances in an entertaining draw at Borough Park.
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Levi Johnson |
They played their best football in the first half but only had one goal to show for their domination with the breakthrough coming on the half hour mark. Levi Johnson maintained his early season scoring form with his third goal of the campaign netting from close range following a corner.
Reds should have been comfortably ahead by then but Andrew Bromley, skipper Lee McCullough and Barry Armfield all squandered good chances when it looked easier to score.
They proved to be costly misses because Southport, managed by former Preston North End, Carlisle United, Watford and Oldham Athletic striker Allan Smart, were revitalised after the break. They forced Lee Jolly into two good saves earlier in the second period and Simon Bragg did particularly well to clear another goal bound effort off the line.
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Simon Bragg |
An equaliser looked inevitable as Reds were penned in their own half for long spells and, just when it looked as though they might record an unexpected win, the visitors grabbed a deserved leveller. Danny Lloyd was given too much time and space on the right which gave him the incentive to cut in from the flank and score (82 minutes) with a fine left foot drive.
Overall, though, it was a good performance from the Reds and tarnished only by two more needless bookings (Dan McDermott and Barry Armfield) for minor misdemeanours.
The younger members of the squad will take centre stage next Tuesday (7.45pm) when Reds host Bootle in the FA Youth Cup.
Team: Lee Jolly, Simon Bragg, Sam Smith, Dan McDermott, George Close, Lee McCullough, Andrew Bromley (Jordan McDowell), Dan Gullen, Barry Armfield, Levi Johnson (Jordan Lee), Jake Smith (Greg Mitchell).