By John Fuller

Last updated at 12:47, Monday, 08 February 2010

Workington Reds 1 Solihull Moors 0: Goal ace Gareth Arnison netted his 14th goal of the season to give Workington Reds a well-deserved 1-0 win over Solihull Moors.

Gareth Arnison

Arnison leapt highest to nod home Phil McLuckie’s inch-perfect cross from deep inside the visitor’s box three minutes before the break.

The result lifted the Borough Park club into the top half of the Blue Sq North table.

It is now 11 games unbeaten for Edmo’s Army, who haven’t tasted defeat since the 2-0 home loss to Southport back in November.

After the heroics last weekend, Reds started the league game unchanged but three men had to play with a sense of caution.

Kyle May, Gari Rowntree and Shaun Vipond have all picked up four yellow cards this season, one more would have seen them miss the FA Trophy quarter final with Stevenage later this month.

Thankfully, all three were on their best behaviour and managed to leave the pitch without being booked.

It was a slow start to the game with both sides trying to suss each other out. Tony Caig was the first keeper to be tested when he acrobatically palmed away Mark Gardner’s header on two minutes.

Reds had a big penalty shout midway through the half when Arnison was clattered to the floor by Liam Murray but referee Simeon Lucas waved away the heated appeals.

Arnison was a menace all game and found himself clear of the defence when strike partner Jonny Wright played him through on goal.

Arnison controlled the ball well but his vicious shot rebounded off the post with keeper Daniel Crane well beaten.

Reds grew stronger as the half went on and began controlling the game for large periods.

Their neat football was more pleasing on the eye with Solihull choosing to use the battering-ram approach.

Reds fancy football paid off on 42 minutes when they took a deserved lead. McLuckie robbed Phil Midworth on the right of the box and hung up the perfect ball for Arnison to head home.

The second half was more of the same with both sides nullifying each other’s attacking threat.

It became a battle of the midfield with Reds just hanging on to their single goal lead.

Solihull almost equalised on 50 minutes but Ryan Beswick’s shot was deflected behind for a corner off the boot of May.

Minutes later Reds had three golden chances to double their lead and seal the match but on each occasion Crane did brilliantly to deny them.

First Anthony Wright was played in by Jonny Wright. The winger raced clear of the defence but Crane made a great double save to deny him.

Next it was Arnison to be frustrated by big shot-stopper as his header from McLuckie’s cross was blocked.

Solihull created very little going forward but Reds had to be on their toes when Theo Streete headed goalwards from a corner. Vipond cleared the ball off the line.

The visitors had one last chance to level the tie but Lee Downes shot from the edge of the box took a deflection off a Reds player and went inches past the post for a corner.

Afterwards boss Darren Edmondson said he was delighted with the result, which moved his side up four places to 11th in the league.

He said: “Grinding results out becomes an art and winning becomes a habit on the back of that and this game proves it.

“We haven’t played as well as we could have done but the run we’re on right now is giving us the confidence to go out and pick up the results.

“To keep a clean sheet and to win a close game against Solihull, who were well organised, is pleasing.

“We have defended solidly and grabbed a deserved win but we should have scored more goals.”

Reds: Caig, Langford, Rowntree, May, Andrews, Vipond, McLuckie, Hopper (Hindmarch 73), J Wright, Arnison, A Wright (Hardman 84). Subs not used: Ruttledge, Main, Taylor.

Attendance: 368

Referee: Simeon Lucas (Darwen)

Star man: Energetic midfielder Phil McLuckie ran the show in the middle of the park. His box-to-box presence caused problems for the Solihull side and his inch perfect cross for Reds goal was excellent.

First published at 11:25, Monday, 08 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk