Workington will play Penrith in the Fred Conway County Cup final at Carlisle’s Brunton Park on a date to be confirmed.
Reds booked their place with a convincing 4-0 win at a rainswept Borough Park last night against the Cup holders Carlisle City.
Danny Grainger had demanded a response from his players after a dismal performance on Saturday and he got it.
“We were much more like it, worked hard and played some good football. We wanted to do things positively and were rewarded with a performance and a result.
“I think I had only about three names pencilled in for Saturday’s League game, and now I have a bit of a headache,” he said.
City boss Jim Nichols was disappointed to lose, after winning the competition last season, but accepted that Workington had been the better side.
“We didn’t help ourselves in the first-half by conceding three goals. They were difficult conditions but we contributed to our own downfall on all three goals.
“I thought we were better in the second half but Workington are a good side and we didn’t ask them enough serious questions,” he said.
Reds had made a flying start with the strong wind behind them and took the lead on five minutes. A quick throw in on the left was collected by Obua Mugalula who cut in along the by-line before slipping in a low cross which was turned home by Steven Rigg.
Five minutes later Brad Hubbold used the wind to good effect when his deep curling corner was over keeper Steve Townsley and found the far corner.
The best goal came on 27 minutes when Ben Hughes broke from deep, found Dav Symington who laid the perfect ball in to Mugalula whose curled shot beat Townsley.
City had a good spell at the start of the second-half but Reds stood firm at the back and when they broke out a Symington cross was headed home at the near post by Lewis Reilly.
Reds had the ball in the net twice more but each time were flagged offside while Jordan Palmer produced City’s best effort with a fierce shot from inside the area which the diving Danny Eccles palmed clear.
Palmer should have grabbed City a consolation on 73 minutes after Eccles brought down Calum Birdsall but from the penalty spot blazed the ball over the top.
The one downside for Reds was a first-half injury to Sam Smith who was helped off with a knee problem. Smith is still suspended for League games but was allowed to play in the County Cup.
