May is awesome but Reds can’t stop the champions

By John Walsh

Last updated 11:41, Monday, 21 April 2008

WORKINGTON Reds were cast in the role of potential party-poopers at Rockingham Road, but they were unable to spoil the champagne celebrations of the Blue Square North champions.

Quarter finalist: Danny May

Blue Square North: Kettering 3 Workington 1

The Poppies boss Mark Cooper had insisted beforehand that he didn’t want to pick up a trophy without winning a game of football beforehand.

The presentation ceremony had been organised in advance, the result hadn’t, but the Kettering players responded well to their manager’s urgings.

They dominated the first 45 minutes – had the boost of two goals in the first 20 minutes – and really Reds could have turned round four or five behind.

But Workington came back well in the second-half, were the livelier side and might even have posed serious problems if they had taken a good chance five minutes after the restart.

Instead Kettering scored a third against the run of play and Andrew Hardman’s consolation goal five minutes from time was a mere statistic, albeit an important one for the 18-year-old Workington youngster.

Reds boss Darren Edmondson said: “As a manager I was envious of the fact that the opposition were lifting the trophy for winning the title. That’s what we are in the game for but it shows the levels we have to aim for. I wasn’t happy with some of the defending which contributed to their goals but we made a game of it in the second-half. I have asked the players to be ready for a big effort on Tuesday night so we can finish off our home season with a good performance and a win.”

Reds will actually complete their programme at Harrogate on Saturday when their hosts could need a win to get into the play-offs. By the same token Barrow might be wanting Workington to do them a favour and grab a win which would propel the Furness side into the promotion deciders.

Facing a strong wind Workington were on the back foot from the start and Kettering missed two good chances in the first eight minutes.

Jon Brady volleyed over from six yards when a deep cross had caught out the Workington defence and then after a cross had come back off the bar Jean-Paul Marna headed straight into the grateful arms of Adam Collin from close range.

Workington just couldn’t get going as an attacking force and it was no real surprise when Kettering took the lead on 13 minutes.

The lively Craig Westcarr wriggled free in the area and although Collin got something on the shot he was unable to prevent it from finishing in the net.

Seven minutes later the Poppies doubled their lead when a Marna cross saw Chris Beardsley nip in smartly to head across Collin into the corner.

Reds rarely threatened. There was a shot from Dan Kirkup which was just wide after Jonny Wright had teed up the opportunity, and Phil McLuckie had a header blocked and a follow-up shot wide of the target.

Workington were much better after the break and could have been right back into it on 50 minutes.

McLuckie, who had worked hard down the right-hand side, did well to dispossess substitute Ryan Collis and went on with only keeper Lee Harper to beat.

But his shot lacked power and Harper went down smartly to his right to hold on.

Graham Anthony had a good shot turned behind for a corner by Harper and once Matthew Berkeley got in on the left but his pull-back to strike-partner Wright went behind him.

It was certainly against the run of play when Kettering scored their third goal on 79 minutes.

Another cross caught-out the Cumbrians. This time it was from Brady, out on the right, and Brett Solkhon had time to stoop and head home from close range.

Workington deserved something for their second-half efforts and they got it on 85 minutes.

Hardman, who had only just come on as a substitute, raced onto a through ball from Anthony Wright and did well to slot a low angled shot beyond Harper into the net.

But the day was all about Kettering and they milked the applause, opened the champagne and celebrated enthusiastically when it was all over – although Cooper was distinctly angry that the occasion had only attracted just over 1,300 Poppies’ fans.

match facts

STAR MAN: KYLE MAY – Has made a splendid come-back from an injury which threatened to finish his season prematurely. Solid, determined and a pillar of consistency despite taking a nasty knock in the face.

KEY MOMENT: Unfortunately the spurned chance for young Phil McLuckie just after the break which would have got Reds back into the game. A shame because he made the chance with his own determination and generally worked hard down the right.

REDS: Collin, Andrews, Rowntree, May (Gray 84), Kirkup, McLuckie, Anthony, Hopper, Berkeley (Hardman 84), J. Wright, A. Wright. Subs (not used) Taylor, Johnston, Edmondson.

CROWD: 1,368

REFEREE: James Cox