Workington Reds completed their longest trip of the season in difficult weather conditions – and earned a fine 3-1 win at Mickleover.
They were given the go-ahead to make the 400 mile round trip after a 7.30am pitch inspection with the proviso that there was snow covering the playing area which they were hoping would clear.
They left knowing that another pitch inspection was to be made at noon and the trip was not uneventful.
There was a wait at Penrith for players to arrive; Efe Ambrose didn’t make it from Scotland on time but made his own way to Lymm Services to catch the coach. For part of the journey it was 40mph as motorway travel was down to single lane.
But the good news was that the second pitch inspection was passed and the team was able to complete the journey in decent time ahead of kick-off.
It couldn’t have got off to a better start, though, once under way with Reds awarded a penalty after only eight minutes when Steven Rigg was brough down in the area.
Rigg took the kick and sent the keeper the wrong way for his 13th goal of the season.
Sam Hetherington almost doubled the lead just before half-time with a shot which hit the underside of the bar, came out and was cleared.
It was a deserved lead at the break although Mickleover had started to see more possession in the closing 15 minutes.
The home side continued to see more of the ball and they levelled on 65 minutes through Tyreace Palmer, shooting home after a good run and finish.
But Reds responded really well to the set-back and on 77 minutes regained the lead when Jake Allan bundled the ball home from a corner.
Victory was assured in the fourth minute of time added on when Reds were awarded a second penalty and Rigg struck it away to make it 14 for the season and three precious points on the road.
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