Recap
A remarkable sequence of results on the final day of the regular season saw Workington finish in 12th position, having been embroiled in a relegation battle going into the Easter weekend.
They were one of five clubs to finish with a tally of 52 points but their goal ratio was slightly better than the others thanks, in no small part, to an amazing last day victory over Ashton United.
The visitors had capped a fine season by reaching the play-offs, and clearly had both eyes on their semi-final tie v. Worksop Town, but the Cumbrian Reds had nothing to play for but pride and responded with their best win of the season.
And the remarkable end to an inconsistent season came after the Workington directors had gambled by changing their management team with just three games to go.
It paid off, thankfully, and Brian Dawson and Billy Redden can now hand team matters back to the Board who will start searching for a new manager this week. Achieving two wins from their three-game tenure has steadied the ship.
Both teams started without several key players and there was a full debut for Reds’ sixteen years old striker, Alfie McDonough. He has trained regularly with the first team squad this season and has featured as a substitute no fewer than nineteen times.
He created a bit of club history by becoming the youngest debutant to score twice on his first start. A fine header in the fourteenth minute and a composed finish soon after half time conjured up an afternoon he’ll never forget.
The youngster, who doesn’t celebrate his seventeenth birthday until August, was given a standing ovation when he was substituted with a quarter of an hour to go and given a sporting hand-shake by Ashton boss, Steve Cunningham, as he reached the touch line.
By then, Workington were strolling towards an unexpected victory as they went into the summer break on a high.
They doubled their lead in the twenty-fourth minute and once again Ashton looked uncomfortable when the ball was in the air. This time, a long throw from Efe Ambrose caused uncertainty in the area and Connor Pani maintained his impressive scoring record for Reds by netting his sixth goal with a looping header which Connor Eastham seemed to misjudge.
The large contingent of travelling Ashton fans had been stunned into silence but they were given some hope when Donald Chimalilo reduced the arrears six minutes before the interval. He finished well after the ball rebounded to him in the build-up, although it was nothing more than a consolation goal by the finish.
Two minutes after the restart, buoyant Reds had restored their two-goal advantage. Leading scorers, Steven Rigg and David Symington appeared to get in each other’s way and the ball found its way to McDonough who calmly claimed his second goal with a confident finish from eight yards.
Ashton had introduced four substitutes after the interval but Reds’ third goal immediately quashed any thoughts of a comeback.
And it got worse for the visitors when the hosts bagged a fourth with just fifty-one minutes on the clock.
Symington set-off on a fifty-yard run with blue-shirted defenders conspicuous by their absence. He made progress deep into Ashton territory before releasing the perfect pass to Josh Galloway, who scored his first league goal for the club with a precise finish into the far corner of Eastham’s net.
Galloway enjoyed his best afternoon in a red shirt and, apart from his well taken goal, contributed with two assists. It was his centre which led to McDonough’s opener and he also created the fifth goal when an inch perfect cross enabled Bruce Strachan to head home his maiden goal for the club, nine minutes from time.
Both teams paraded the pitch perimeter to thank their fans at the finish and the Workington faithful were treated to an impromptu gymnastic display from cult-hero Ambrose. If that proves to be his last game for the club, he too went out in style.
Ashton now have to recover quickly after conceding five goals at Borough Park for the second successive season!
Workington: Mitchell, Barnes (Christian, 83), Clarke, Casson, Little, Ambrose (Nugent, 89), Symington, Pani, Rigg (Stephenson, 68), Galloway, McDonough (Strachan, 74). Substitute – Eccles (not used).
Ashton United: Eastham, Cowan (Burke, 69), White, Rose, Westwood, Efunnuga, Byrne (Newton, 46), Rowe (Carver, 46), Gilchrist (Denton, 46), Chimalilo, Hardy (Osei, 46).
Referee: Nat Cox
Bookings: Symington, Strachan (Workington)
Attendance: 1,031