Windscale AFC 3 - 3 Workington Reserves
Thu 30th July 2009
Workington Reds Reserves pre-season preparation continued on Thursday evening against Windscale AFC at the Falcon Ground, Egremont.
In a well contested and entertaining game both side conceded soft goals in the final 3 – 3 score line.
The game was played at a high tempo throughout with both sides eager to get forward at every opportunity though there was only one clear chance within the half hour when a ball up to Reds’ striker Stefan Scot sent him clear of the Windscale defence. He neatly put the ball to the side of the advancing keeper only to see his effort cleared off the line by defender Ray Semple racing back.
Just after the half hour mark Windscale took the lead. Pressing forward they were awarded a free kick a few yards outside the Reds’ penalty area. Dean Rodgers curled the free kick around the five-man wall to find the net just inside the far post leaving keeper Andrew Rolandson stranded. Rolandson was a late replacement for James Bryden who withdrew through injury only a few hours before kick off. |
Nick Holden |
Windscales held the lead for six minutes until a long ball forward over the Windscale defence resulted in a clash between the rapidly advancing keeper and a defender chasing back. Both players ended up on the ground allowing Nick Holden to collect the loose ball, cut inside the last remaining defender and roll the ball into the empty net.
Reds’ Reserve manager Steve Lee made nine changes at half time but it was Gareth Brunton, the only remaining outfield player from the starting eleven who broke the deadlock. Windscale conceded a freekick 25 yards from goal and Brunton scored direct from the freekick into the bottom corner of the net.
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Gareth Brunton |
The Reds lead was short lived as three minutes later Andrew Brown conceded a soft penalty, awarded by referee Mike Bradley, bringing down Dean Rodgers who picked himself up to score into the bottom left corner of the net.
Dean Rodgers completed his hat-trick on 71 minutes, though he looked suspiciously offside at the time. A long ball played forward was chased after by Rodgers who beat the advancing Reds keeper to the ball, playing the ball past the keeper he scored into an empty net. Afterward referee Mike Bradley stated that the ball had glanced a Reds defender playing Rodgers onside.
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Bryan Rutherford |
The Reds Reserves replied immediately. Windscale conceded a corner within a minute of the restart. From the corner Barry Armfield controlled the ball well with his chest at the edge of the area and played the ball through to defender Bryan Rutherford on the edge of the six yard box. Rutherford, back to goal, swivelled and fired into the bottom corner to level the scores at three apiece.
Barry Armfield had an opportunity to snatch a winner in the dying moments of the game but put his shot wide after being set up by Jordan Lee with a ball from the right wing.
Reds Reserves Assistant Manager, Herbert Briggs commented, “It was a good workout for the twenty players who took the field in a competitive game”.
The Reds Reserves complete their pre-season preparation with a trip to Annan Athletic on Sunday 2nd August followed by a match at Cleator Moor Celtic the following Tuesday evening.
Reserves (1st half): Andrew Rolandson, Martin Rossi, Sam Smith, George Close, Craig Johnston, Andrew Bromley, Adam Main, Dan Gullen, Gareth Brunton, Stefan Scott, Nick Holden.
Reserves (2nd half): Andrew Rolandson, Simon Bragg, Jake Smith, Bryan Rutherford, Andrew Brown, Jordan Lee, Dan McDermott, Callum Lee, Gareth Brunton, Barry Armfield, Levi Johnstone.
The Reds players turn to celebrate Gareth Brunton's goal direct from the free kick.