Workington’s emphatic 4-1 victory over NPL strugglers Blyth Spartans puts them within touching distance of safety and another couple of victories should ensure Step 3 football for next season.
They emerged worthy winners in the end although manager Mark Fell suggested they weren’t ruthless enough in the first half and their two-goal lead should have been greater.
“We created a lot of opportunities in the first half and were a real threat in front of goal but our decision-making left me frustrated at times. They were warned in the build-up about complacency and no team will just roll over and let you have your own way,” he said.
“But that little bit of magic from Dav (Symington) settled us down and we went on to score four goals, won the game and are now nearing a position of comfort in the league.
“It has been rocky road at times yet we are getting close to where we want to be and although bits of the game were fantastic there are still bits to work on but we are holding our own at this level with what is a very young team.”
His reference to Symington centred around a 70-second minute goal which the skipper caressed into the net direct from a free kick to restore Workington’s two-goal advantage.
After a disappointing personal campaign, Symington was back on song and scored his first goal on home soil since September.
Reds had netted twice in the opening thirteen minutes, a close-range header from Efe Ambrose, which was promptly celebrated acrobatically by the Nigerian international, and a crisp low finish from Ruben Grewal’s left foot after Jake Allan’s clever assist.
But Spartans reduced the deficit 10 minutes after half time when Shay Richardson headed a fine goal via Dean Briggs’ cross.
Steven Rigg was unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the first half when a diving header was well saved by Matthew Bancroft then an overhead volley rattled the cross bar.
But he lobbed Workington’s fourth goal from fully35 yards and was close to scoring a fifth just before the end but Ambrose headed the ball over the line to make sure and was flagged offside.
Fell handed a debut to Scottish midfielder, Bruce Strachan, and the Ayrshire teenager acquitted himself well in a 20-minute cameo via the bench.
Workington’s 12th league victory lifted them to 14th position in the Premier Division table but beleaguered Spartans remain at the bottom, nineteen points from safety.
