Reds lose out in five goal thriller

Last updated 12:31, Friday, 25 July 2008

Barrow AFC 3 Workington 2: A betting man would have been on a pretty sure thing that Barrow would step up a gear from Tuesday’s disappointing 1-1 draw at Lancaster.

And so it proved with the Bluebirds clinching a competitive Cumbrian derby to retain the Chas Kendall Trophy by the odd goal in five.

There are still problems to be ironed out but Barrow showed far more composure, skill and determination at Holker Street last night than at the Giant Axe ground 48 hours previously.

The Trophy was last contested back in 2003 when Barrow won 5-0 and a similar crowd of over 300 this time enjoyed a closer encounter with some lively tackles flying in.

After a quiet start, Barrow took the lead on nine minutes when new striker Lee Hunt chased down a long ball from Lee Woodyatt. The former Rhyl man held the ball up for fellow new signing Ashley Winn who jinxed his way to the bye-line before pulling the ball to Hunt who finished clinically with a low shot from 10 yards, 1-0.

The home side exerted some sustained pressure and Chris Thompson was unlucky with a header from Paul Brown’s deep cross, the latter also firing in a long range effort well held by visiting keeper Adam Collin.

Workington launched a counter attack on 26 minutes and although Elderton did well to cut out a low cross, the ball was played back in the box where manager Darren Sheridan was adjudged to have impeded Tony Hopper. Anthony Wright placed the spot-kick low to Tim Deasy’s right, 1-1.

This heralded a spell of Reds pressure and when Paul Jones blocked a Michael Reed shot, Dan Robinson, the new signing from Gretna, should have done better than fire wide.

Workington then took the lead on 38 minutes when former Holker Street favourite Graham Anthony completely deceived Deasy with a dipping shot from 30 yards, 1-2.

However within three minutes Barrow had replied in kind as Winn - who looks a tremendous acquisition - hit a daisy-cutter from a similar distance into the far corner of the net, 2-2.

There was a scare at the other end as Deasy pushed a deflected Wright cross against the bar and then right on half-time Paul Tait flashed a header from Brown’s inswinging free-kick narrowly wide of the far post.

Thompson and Mark Boyd combined nicely after the break and on 50 minutes Workington defender Kyle May incensed the crowd with a heavy challenge on Hunt. Justice was served as Boyd swung in a free-kick and Steve McNulty rose well to direct his header just under the bar, 3-2.

Elderton had to be alert to block a neat dribble by Robinson but then blotted his copybook with a late lunge on Hopper.

Barrow made a flurry of substitutions, again just before the hour mark, and former Workington keeper Aaron Taylor had to be alert to come out quickly and clear from the feet of Robinson.

After that it was mainly Barrow pressure with Jason Walker setting up Hunt who was bundled over by Dan Kirkup but no penalty given.

Young Manchester area triallist Bradley Barnes won a couple of corners as Barrow - unlike at Lancaster - showed more like Conference status by retaining possession.

It was Hunt’s turn to set up Walker, the mobile forward’s low shot well taken by Collin while sub Dan Gullen forced a late save from Taylor.

Barrow will this season be saying goodbye to those journeys up the west coast and heading south, so it was good to see Workington officials wishing their counterparts well after the game.

And at the end of the day a little bit of silverware - presented to skipper Jones by the bookies' rep Steve Wilson - doesn’t do anyone any harm.

Barrow: Tim Deasy, Lee Woodyatt, Ryan Elderton, Paul Jones, Steve McNulty, Chris Thompson, Darren Sheridan, Ashley Winn, Lee Hunt, Paul Tait, Paul Brown. Subs used: Aaron Taylor, Mark Boyd, Andy Bond, Jason Walker, Bradley Barnes, Mike Pearson.
Workington: Adam Colin, David Hewson, Lee Andrews, Kyle May, Dan Kirkup, Phil McLuckie, Graham Anthony, Tony Hopper, Michael Reed, Dan Robinson, Anthony Wright. Subs: Steve Rudd, James Earl, Dan Gullen.

Referee: J Corkhill

Attendance: 361