Workington Reds produced a near-perfect performance to beat the form team in NPL West, Witton Albion by 5-0 at Borough Park in front of an 816 crowd.
Danny Grainger’s men took full advantage of the visitors being reduced to 10 men after 20 minutes and were completely in control from the moment that full-back Taylor Kennerley was shown the red card.
It followed Workington’s opening goal, and Witton might have had a point that Scott Allison fouled Kennerley in the build-up to the goal but what followed was out of order. It appears that the Witton defender used foul and abusive language to the assistant who had been close to the disputed incident.
What the various videos will show is that play was allowed to go on and when Allison squared to Dav Symington he fired past the diving Oliver Martin into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Goals and red cards change games, and Witton manager Jon Macken was left to reflect on this particular double whammy because a promising start wilted in front of his eyes.
Albion, the NPL West’s form side had started well and for 20 minutes probably shaded it until Workington took the lead.
From that point Workington completely controlled the game, playing some excellent football and in the second half made it count with four goals.
Symington was dangerous whenever he got near enough to shoot and although he cleared the bar on three occasions he hit the back of the net three more times to finish with four and take his tally for the season to 18.
The second goal came after 54 minutes when Symington cut in from the left and from the edge of the area thumped his shot into the top corner.
On the hour it was teenager Kai Nugent, on loan from Carlisle United, who scored his first Workington goal with a shot in a crowded goalmouth which took a deflection on its way to the top corner.
Nine minutes later Symington completed his hat-trick with another powerful finish and when left unmarked in the box on 77 minutes didn’t need any second bidding before lashing the ball home.
Reds complete their Easter programme on Monday at Kidsgrove which will leave them two more League games to play at 1874 Northwich and home to Colne.
The win over Witton assured them of a home tie in the play-off semi-final and now it’s a question of who finishes second and third between Leek and the Reds.
