Trophy run over for another season

By Paul Mullins

Workington rode a first half storm to knock a valiant Chasetown side out of the Buildbase FA Trophy.

Chasetown started brightly and an early header from Ryan Wynter was just wide of the post from a cross by Nkosi Mzungwana in the first two minutes.

The hosts kept the press on and almost broke the deadlock after 10 minutes. Danny Cocks sprinted forward down the wing and leading goalscorer Muzzy Nduna was blocked at point blank range 6 yards out.

Nduna and Wynter combined to assist Will Whieldon as the Scholars remained in the ascendancy but the Cumbrian sides defence continued to stand firm.

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Match photos

Whieldon was a whisker wide with a free kick on the half hour before Workington lost centre half Sam Smith on a stretcher with a leg injury.

Workington’s chances were few and far between with Curtis Pond equal to two shots straight at him from Connor Tinnion and Jordan Holt.

Visiting keeper Thomas Fowler kept it goalless with a superb save to deny Nduna just before half-time.

Chasetown had a scare at the second half as a defensive lapse let in Samuel Joel as the ball looped over Pond who scurried back to concede a corner.

From the resultant corner, Workington took the lead after Ryan Wynter headed beyond Pond into his own goal.

Workington almost doubled their lead with a Joel effort superbly saved by Pond at full stretch.

Just after the hour, the Reds did increase their lead with Joel netting from the right hand angle of the penalty area.

Chasetown almost responded immediately with a Whieldon free kick powered goalwards off the head of Nduna but Fowler responded with a diving save to his right.

Scholars substitute Jake Lovatt dragged an effort wide as the game entered into the final fifteen minutes.

Higher league Workington put the game to bed in the 80th minute as Joel broke clear and confidently slotted past Pond.

Chasetown reduced the deficit three minutes from time. Lovatt battled through the Reds defence and unselfishly slotted the ball to fellow sub George Cater who side footed home from 6 yards.