This
Season Match Reports 2000-01 - Workington (a)
Friendly
Workington Reds 2 Newcastle Reserves 3
Date:
Tuesday 24th October, 2000, 7pm.
Venue: Borough Park,
Workington.
Conditions: Dreadful
- driving rain whipped up by a blustery wind.
Crowd:
701
Teams:
WRFC: (normal home kit - all red)
Hoggeth, Gray, Moore, Williamson, Johnson, Carr, Ennis, Skelton, Irving,
Dawson, Wilson. Subs: Hodgson M, Milne, Henney, Goulding, Hodgson G, Jones,
Coulthard, Priestley, an other.
NB - No announcements made or
teamsheets to be had, hence the above lineup is as 1 to 11 appeared in
programme. Don't blame us if it's all wrong...
Due to the large number of subs used, it's unclear who precisely was who, but the changes in
numbers were: 14 on for 3 10 mins, 12 on for 2 46 mins, 16 on for 5 46 mins,
19 on for 7 46 mins, 17 on for 9 73
mins, 20 on for 10 73 mins, 15 on for 19 60 mins.
Graham Goulding, who was linked with
a move to United last year, wore the number 19 shirt and was introduced at
halftime. However, he only lasted 15 minutes before himself being replaced.
We're unsure whether he was injured or couldn't swim.....
As far as we could see, young Reds defender Andrew Jones didn't
appear at any stage. Jones had a trial with United late last season and
appeared for the juniors.
6 mins. The first meaningful attack
from the visitors came when Ameobi wriggled free and found Coppinger on the
right side of the area. His forward pass rebounded back off a defender, but
his second attempt was too strong for Bonvin, and a defender was able to
clear the danger.
7 mins. The reds were reduced to ten men after the left back limped off
for treatment. He was unable to continue and a replacement was eventually
made a few moments later.
12 mins. A decent chance spurned by Ameobi after a strong run down the
right from Stuart Green had played in Coppinger, who whipped the ball back
from the byline. Unfortunately Shola sliced his shot well wide. 13 mins. Workington threatened to take a shock lead after a flowing
move down the left exposed the defensive shortcomings of Boyd, and a
dangerous cross found it's way to the far post, only to be volleyed straight
back across goal by the number 7 (Ennis we think....)
16 mins. Ullathorne made a break down the United left and eluded two
challenges to reach the byline and pull back a low cross. Coppinger
arrived with perfect timing to thump the ball into the bottom left hand
corner of the goal from 10 yards 1-0.
24 mins. Bryan Kerr was heavily involved as United enjoyed a prolonged
period of possession, from which Gary Caldwell eventually joined the attack
down the left flank, finding Ullathorne again overlapping. His cross was a
replica of the one which produced the opening goal, but this time
Coppinger's shot was well gathered by the goalkeeper.
25 mins. Switching wings, United threatened down the right and
Coppinger's ball into the box was seized upon by Stuart Green. His first
attempt was blocked by the 'keeper and his second passed the wrong side of
the post. Such were the poorness of the floodlights that many of the crowd
wrongly assumed he had in fact scored. 28 mins. Hesitancy by the home defence allowed Ameobi to
settle himself in a central position just outside the area before stroking
home the second goal with a cleanly-hit rising shot. 2-0
39 mins. A deserved reply from Workington, who had reacted to conceding
a second by upping the tempo. Their reward came after a long ball forward
stretched the United defence and allowed Gray to latch on to it and
sidestep the onrushing Karelse. His shot from 15 yards entered the net
despite the despairing lunge ofSteve Caldwell, and looked to have
deflected home off his outstreched leg. However crediting him with an og
would have been harsh on attacker and defender 2-1. 44 mins. The home fans urged their team on with renewed vigour and
were rewarded when Gray again made a nuisance of himself down the left and
won space to send over a tempting cross to the far post. Irving
gleefully accepted the chance and powered a close-range header past Karelse
to give the Reds a deserved equaliser. 2-2.
45 mins Only a fingertip save by the Newcastle 'keeper prevented Gray
from snatching a half time lead.
Halftime Score: Workington 2 NUFC 2
64 mins.
In driving rain, Coppinger spooned his
effort over the goal after being set away by the impressive Bonvin. The
South American debutant won a tussle with a defender and played a
penetrating ball to the left corner of the area.
70 mins. Bonvin again, who seemed to be coping well with the by-now
sodden pitch, showed good skill and determination to hold the ball up and
then feed the advancing Ameobi. His goal-bound shot was deflected for a
corner. 72 mins. United made light of the terrible conditions to fashion a
goal of quality, both in creation and execution. After a Workington attack
had been broken on the halfway line, Bonvin took possession and chipped a
perfectly-weighted through ball over the defence for Stuart Green to
run on to. With defenders advancing on him, he picked his spot and hit a low
drive to the bottom left of the 'keeper. 3-2 75 mins. With Workington started to tire, Bonvin came to the
fore as an attacking force, and sent a succession of shots narrowly wide of
the goal, in particular one which flashed just past the post. His disgust at
not hitting the target was evident as he hoofed the muddy pitch.
Final Score: Workington 2 NUFC 3
Waffle:
In what is becoming an almost monthly event, Newcastle travelled to the
Cumbrian coast for their third friendly encounter of the season with
Workington.
However, where their two previous victories had been played in good
conditions, tonight's success came amidst dreadful conditions, with the rain
lashing down and a howling wind combining with a muddy surface to present
the United players with a more challenging ninety minutes than they normally
come across.
Presumably the local lads were rather more used to it than their opponents,
but while Dimas struggled to make any progress down the left wing, Bonvin
seemed perfectly at home. Mark Boyd at right back however seemed to be
running through treacle at times, and seemed especially relieved when the
final whistle blew....
Under the circumstances, both sides should be applauded for their part in an
entertaining and even-tempered match, and while United will be relieved to
return to winning ways, their Unibond opponents can take heart from another
encouraging display against full-time players.
A special mention must be made for the "Rosso's Ices" ice cream
van that positioned itself on the grassy bank behind one goal, in what must
be called splendid isolation. A handful of masochistic customers trudged up
to buy 99's or whatever, but his proceeds must barely have exceeded £10.
From our relatively sheltered position on the side of the ground, the van
definitely seemed to be sinking, which may have prevented it being washed
away in a mudslide.
Had the rain started earlier, we may have
had the possibly unique occurrence of the game being abandoned due to
Cornetto encroachment...
PS - Unfortunately the van didn't switch
his chimes on - now that would have been surreal.....