2005/06 season match No.51
Saturday, April 22nd, 2006
Nationwide North
Workington 2, Alfreton Town 0
Match report by Clive Edwards. Pics courtesy of Steve Hardy

To get to Workington, you have to pass by all the gorgeous beauty of the Lake District until you get to a plain, untidy town that looks about as inviting as last night’s leftover curry.
The journey through the countryside was like racing past the leggy stunners in a beauty contest so that you could have a chat with the old woman with her mop and bucket waiting to clear up when everyone’s gone home.
Half a century ago, their soccer stadium was graced by Liverpool legend Bill Shankly; now it’s a repository for excess players from Gretna Green.
For the Alfreton supporters, this final trip of the season had been a long, long journey. They have seen their side win away from the Impact Arena on just one occasion – almost eight months ago, at Hyde.
In some matches this season, they have watched their team play dismally without creating a decent chance. But the times they are a-changing, one feels. Mills and Gee may be building a squad that can deliver some success, home and away.
During the course of the season, the average age of the team has plummeted. Apart from Gary Mills, who played with the head of a veteran and the spirit of a teenager, at full back for the first half, and in midfield for the second, there are a string of youngsters who seem to be blending well together.
Teenager Chris Harcourt replaced the injured Matt Fisher at half time and looked more than competent. For the last ten minutes, Callum Flanagan replaced Litchfield, played in the centre of midfield, and looked extremely promising.
Gary Mills has proved two points. If you are short on cash for the transfer market, you need to do two things. First, wheel and deal in the loans market. Second, patiently and carefully bring on your youngsters.
For the first 18 minutes of this match, Alfreton were all over Workington. Two chances fell to Rankine, one of which was tipped over the bar by the keeper, the other one was sent into the outer stratosphere by the striker as he leaned back and thumped it with all the power he has. He’s a big fella, and he plays with plenty of heart.
Jon Stevenson seems to enjoy the partnership. Certainly, the tricky ,nippy Stevenson was a handful for the home team all afternoon. Soccer skills were tested by a strong wind and a bobbly pitch. The corrugated surface hampered Bettney throughout the afternoon.
The wind made life difficult for the centre backs and the keepers. Stevenson, however, has instant control on any surface. He always looked the most likely Red to score.
Workington’s first goal came on 19 minutes. A corner, won from a fast break against the run of play, was headed in by full back Tom Cowan. It stunned the players and the crowd. Alfreton didn’t deserve to be a goal down.
From that point, Workington played with more composure and sense, and they gradually started to get into the game. By half time, they had just about deserved their lead on the balance of play.
In the second half, Alfreton again created decent chances. Rankine fired across goal from 18 yards, won a corner, and for some seconds Bettney’s kick flashed around the penalty area like a pinball.
Nwadike, Clarke and Bettney all had their shots blocked. It came out to Friars who fired it just after the half-volley, great technique, from the edge of the box. It whistled inches over the bar.
Workington’s second goal was a tragedy for Alfreton. A long ball out from the home defence, carried further than all expected in the sailing wind. Featherstone tracked it, pursued by Workington’s Matt Henney.
The Alfreton full-back expected, not unreasonably, a call from his keeper. It didn’t come. Rayner advanced, hesitated, and stuttered. Featherstone could delay no longer. He tried to head the bouncing ball towards his keeper, who by this time had come too close to read the move. It passed him, and in popped Henney to fire into an empty net. It was more than Workington deserved.
Featherstone was distraught. He let Rayner know, in no uncertain terms, that the responsibility in situations like this lies with the goalkeeper who is facing the play .
Featherstone actually shoved the giant Rayner in a moment of temper . It was the only incident of unsporting behaviour in the match, and the referee, quite properly, let it go.
Assistant Manager Darron Gee said after the match: “It was the goalkeeper’s mistake. He should have made a decision earlier to come and clear the ball.
" Both goals came from our mistakes. We’ve created six or eight good chances, and haven’t finished any of them, and then we’ve given away two silly goals. I’m bitterly disappointed, but I’m really pleased with the performance of the young lads in the team today.”
At the end of this game Gee ushered the team to go across to the travelling fans and acknowledge their support. Both groups applauded each other in a spirit of sportsmanship and respect that had epitomised this match. The referee had not shown a single card throughout the contest- a rare event by today’s standards.

WORKINGTON: Collin, Edmondson (Goulding 50), Cowan, May, Gray, Henney, Hewson, Arnison, Johnston, Dillon, Hoolickin. Subs not used: Green ,Summersgill.

ALFRETON TOWN: Rayner, Mills, Featherstone, Friars, Clarke, Nwadike, Bettney, Fisher (Harcourt 46), Rankine (Godber 71), Stevenson,Litchfield (Flanagan 79). Subs not used: Robinson, Buckley.

REFEREE: Mr C Buxton.

ATTENDANCE: 380.

SCORERS: Workington - Cowan 18, Henney 66.

DISCIPLINE: No cards of any colour.

REDS MAN OF THE MATCH : Gary Mills.