Workington Reds’ war cry at the start of the season was “We have unfinished business to attend to” – so a full blooded response tonight to Saturday’s disaster, can keep them on track.
The unfinished business refers to two years of NPL West progress being thwarted by COVID as the seasons were declared void.
They were well placed to gain promotion under Danny Grainger (lying first and then third) and despite the disastrous result at Market Drayton they surely cant miss this opportunity to gain the promotion the squad richly deserves.
Having led the League for large stretches of the season and never been out of the top three falling at the final hurdle would be a real let-down.
Blood, sweat and no tears will be needed tonight against a Marine side equally being asked to respond after two unsettling defeats against Bootle (2-0) and Leek Town (3-1).
Workington Reds have had 48 hours to lick their wounds after the bitter disappointment of losing-out on the NPL West title at the weekend. There must be no repeat tonight.
Their failure to beat the bottom club Market Drayton means they have to go through the lottery of the play-offs to join Warrington Rylands in the NPL Premier.
First in line are Marine, who will be squaring-up to the Reds for the fifth time this season, having beaten them 2-1 on Merseyside as recent as ten days ago.
So far it’s an FA Cup draw, followed by a replay win after extra time to Marine, a League win to Reds and that Easter Saturday League success to the Liverpool side.
But the two sides, low in confidence from recent outings, go head to head at Borough Park and it will be the one who copes best with the pressures that the play-offs bring and can find some form, who will surely triumph.
Unfortunately, as has been the case for most of the season, Reds have injury issues with vice-captain Brad Carroll already ruled out with a thigh strain which left him limping away from the Market Drayton ground.
Kyle Harrison, injured in Reds’ last good performance – a 4-0 win at Bootle – has missed the last four games with a hamstring problem and is rated only 50-50 to return tonight.
And Steven Rigg, on the team sheet as a substitute at Market Drayton, had to be replaced by reserve goalkeeper Danny Eccles, after pulling-up in the warm-up.
Workington have been backed by excellent crowds this season – second best behind Marine in the NPL West.
The team will be expecting similar strong backing from the terraces tonight and after Saturday they owe them a performance.
