Workington AFC 4-2 Matlock Town

Recap

NPL Premier 24/25 2024/25

Borough ParkCA14 2DT, Workington, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom

Workington AFC
Workington Cumbria CA14 2DT
Matlock Town
Causeway Lane Matlock Derbyshire DE4 3AR
Preview

Recap

Workington ended a worrying winless streak with one of their best performances of the season, putting the Gladiators to the sword and halting the Derbyshire club’s impressive sequence of results.

And with so many positives to emerge from a vibrant ninety minutes, there was a genuine feel-good factor on the terraces.

We all view the game differently, of course, but I’m sure there was universal agreement on the excellent contribution from the outstanding trio of Casson, Grewal and Nugent, the superb debut from Charlie Barnes, the defensive prowess of Jordan Little and Efe Ambrose, the continued development of Tom Stephenson and the experience displayed by Messrs Mitchell, Clarke, Allen and Symington.

Such was the impact from 1 to 11, it mattered little that Reds options on the bench were in the hands (or feet) of five inexperienced teenagers.

Even Reds ultra positive boss, Mark Fell, feared the game might be a step too far against a Matlock team who topped the form table before kick-off in Cumbria.

Yet, despite the absentees, recent departures and the less than 100% fitness and well being of two who did start the game, the character, determination and football produced the performance, and outcome, we all craved.

Reds got off to the best possible start and were two goals ahead inside the opening twelve minutes.

Kai Nugent opened the scoring after eight minutes with a wonderful strike from distance and then sent over the corner for Jordan Little to powerfully head home the second at the far post.

The hosts could have had more but were good value for the lead and Town’s excellent reply, through Jake Thompson just before the break, was the first time Matlock had troubled Reds.

The third goal was always going to prove crucial and the fact it was the home side who got it quashed Matlock’s fightback aspirations.

And it was a great first Borough Park goal for Tom Stephenson, via another Nugent assist, just eight minutes after the restart.  His well struck effort on the turn left Rogan Ravenhill helpless.

Jamie Allen and Kai Nugent celebrate Tom Stephenson’s goal

Matlock were much improved in the second half but they couldn’t convert long spells of possession into anything tangible until the seventy-second minute.  A rare defensive lapse led to a set piece and Town substitute, Sam Essien, netted the fifth goal of the afternoon.

If Workington’s first and third goals prove to be goal of the season contenders then so too will their fourth, another superb team effort, just four minutes after Matlock thought they were back in contention.

Ruben Grewal’s return to the side was welcomed by his ever-increasing fan base and he capped an influential afternoon with a cracking finish after being involved in a neat one-two on the edge of the box.

Nugent picked up a second successive sponsors’ man-of-the-match accolade, and it would be harsh not to go with that decision, but several of his colleagues ran him close.  

Workington: Mitchell, Barnes, Clarke, Casson, Little, Ambrose, Symington (McDonough, 90), Grewal, Jamie Allen (McCarron, 84), Nugent, Stephenson (Wane).  Substitutes – Bell, Christian (not used).

Matlock Town: Ravenhill, Fanning, Milambo, Clayton, Granite, Oglesby, Thompson, Bachirou (Zottos, 88), Gibson, Campbell (Derbyshire, 60), Smart (Essien, 54).

Referee: Chris Porter, Preston

Booking: Campbell (Matlock Town)

Attendance: 803

 

Details

Date Time League Season
18 January 2025 15:00 NPL Premier 24/25 2024/25

Ground

Borough Park

CA14 2DT, Workington, Cumberland, England, United Kingdom

Workington

1Alex Mitchell Goalkeeper
2Matty Clarke Defender
3Charlie Barnes Defender
4Ceiran Casson Midfielder
5Jordan Little Defender 11'
7David Symington 14 Midfielder
8Ruben Grewal Midfielder 76'
9Jamie Allen 16 Forward
10Kai Nugent Midfielder 8'
11Tom Stephenson 17 Midfielder 53'
12Callum Bell Defender
14Alfie McDonough 7 Forward
15Sam Christian Midfielder
16Ben McCarron 9 Forward
17Lucas Wane 11 Midfielder
  4 4

Matlock Town

1Rogan Ravenhill Goalkeeper
2Kyle Fanning Defender
3Jeremie Milambo Defender
4Adam Clayton Midfielder
6Charlie Oglesby Defender
7Jake Thompson Forward 44'
8Fouad Bachirou 14 Midfielder
9Montel Gibson Forward
10Remaye Campbell 12 Forward 27'
11Sam Smart 15 Midfielder
12Matt Derbyshire 10 Forward
14Basile Zottos 8 Forward
15Sam Essien 11 Midfielder 72'
  2 1