The first of the County League’s Cup competitions was completed with a game featuring two of the prominent sides in the League, Pirelli and Workington Athletic.
Played at Borough Park, home of the Workington Reds, it was the Carlisle side who emerged 3-2 winners after a game of high-quality watched by over 200 enthusiastic supporters.
Prior to the kick-off there was a one minute period of applause as a mark of respect to Whitehaven Amateurs Youth coach Darren Buchanan who died recently.
The game was only into the third minute when Pirelli were rightly awarded a penalty for a rash tackle in the area. James Earl stepped up to take the kick but was foiled by a brilliant save from Athletic’s keeper, David Ousby.
Pirelli had the better of the exchanges following this but Workington gradually worked themselves into the game and subsequently took the lead from a corner kick. Pirelli failed to clear the incoming delivery with Darren Lumsden firing home the loose ball.
Workington, with the wind and rain at their backs then experienced a period of dominance and it was no surprise when they increased the lead. Tom Pardini hammered the ball into the back of the Pirelli net from six yards, following a cross from the left.
Pirelli remained solid after this setback, preventing Workington adding to their total despite having the benefit of the elements. The teams were happy to seek the sanctuary of the dressing rooms at half time with Workington still holding a 2-0 lead.
With the elements now in their favour, it was Pirelli who were having the greater percentage of possession. They were given a life-line back into the match when they were awarded their second penalty in the game.
This time Tom Lucock took the spot kick and hit the back of the net beyond a despairing dive from Ousby.
This goal energised Pirelli who began to exert more pressure onto the Athletic’s rear-guard. It was Jordan Atkinson who finished off a move and restored parity to the game at 2-2.
With everything now to play for, both teams were creating chances but were unable to change the score-line until Pirelli substitute Ellis James decided the affair. With 82 minutes on the watch, he drove the ball home with a well-struck drive from the left hand side of the penalty area.
With Pirelli defending their lead, it was Athletic who were producing the majority of attacking play, and the opposition had to defend desperately to run the clock down.
They were able to see the game out, despite a further six minutes of additional time being added by the match official and the Pirelli bench frantically appealing for the final whistle.
In what was an entertaining game, which could have gone either way, it was a credit to both teams that they played some good quality football in difficult conditions.
The Conway Cup trophy was presented to Pirelli Captain, Jordan Pritchard-Farish by Cumberland County Leagues Fixture Secretary, Neil McCrickard.
League secretary Geoff Turrell said: “The County League would like to show their appreciation to Workington Reds for the use of their facilities and the work undertaken by the club’s volunteers to ensure the game went ahead.”
