Workington Reds turn on the style

Young Reds supporters celebrate Sam Smith’s goal (Ben Challis)

Workington turned on the style to maintain their promotion challenge with a convincing 3-0 win over stubborn opposition in Newcastle Town.

It completed a League double for the Cumbrians and was Reds best home performance of the season.

Although happy with the 1-0 win at Newcastle, manager Danny Grainger wanted his players to express themselves more going forward in the return game.

He got it, too, as Reds could easily have had the game wrapped-up by half-time as they dominated possession and territory.

It was only 1-0 at the break and although Newcastle had rarely posed an attacking threat they were still in the contest until the final quarter.

But two goals in the 73^rd and 79^th minutes clinched the points and gave the scoreline a more reflective view on what had gone on.

Greg McCaragher fends of unwanted attention (Ben Challis)

Scott Allison had seen one effort tuned round the post by keeper Joseph Slinn; had another effort headed off the line and then forced the ball home after Slinn had spilled Dav Symington’s free kick only for the referee to disallow it for a foul on the keeper ruling he had regained possession.

Dav Symington was on target for the Reds (Ben Challis)

But it was Allison who did break the deadlock from the penalty spot after being tripped in the box. It was the sixth successive game in which he has scored and was his 140^th for the club.

Danny Grainger and Jim Atkinson thank the Reds fans at the end of the game (Ben Challis)

The second goal was always going to be crucial and it came when skipper Conor Tinnion curled a ball into the box and Sam Smith placed the perfect header beyond Slinn.

720 watched on as the Reds won with a three goal margin (Ben Challis)

Three minutes later goalkeeper Jim Atkinson found Symington with a perfect long pass down the middle and he went on to hold off his man before blasting the ball past Sill.