LATE WINNER FOR WORKINGTON

In a crunch game at the top of the Northern Premier League West Division Leek Town fell short at the last, as Workington finally broke their resistance through Scott Allison very late in the day.

Leek came into this game in a good vein of form. They had picked themselves up after the heavy defeat to Macclesfield last month and put an impressive run together of three wins in a row. Workington had also been impressive of late and knew that they could end the day level on points with their opponents with a victory.

Workington had the first big chance of the game inside four minutes as Dav Symington got onto a loose ball in the box. Danny Roberts stood up strong to deny the midfielder at his near post and kept the scores level.

Leek struggled to get a hold of the ball inside the first 10 minutes and looked to hit their opponents on the counterattack after large spells of possession for the visitors. A lot of possession for Workington didn’t equate to any clear-cut chances, with most of the play being in the visitors’ half.

Leek had their first real chance to counterattack in the 18th minute, but Ross Davidson was hacked down by Dan Wordsworth after picking up a loose ball. The Workington player went into the referee’s book for the late challenge, and Leek had a free kick in a dangerous area.

Leek set up a clever routine from the resulting free kick, as the ball was laid off to Marc Grocott from 25 yards out, but his speculative effort was wayward and flew out of the Macclesfield Road end for a goal kick.

Leek were forced to be patient in the first half and wait for their opportunity to strike on the counter, but Workington made it difficult for the hosts to get a hold of the ball, and even during the spells of Leek Town possession, their play seemed to be rushed because of the lack of the ball that Neil Bakers team had.

The Blues managed to get out of their half and on the attack after a clever flick-on from Tim Grice in the 41st minute. The ball was then worked out to the left-hand side to Louis Keenan, whose cross looked certain to get a touch until Tom Carr seemed to be pushed in the box by a Workington defender. The referee waved away appeals from The Blues players and fans for a penalty and the play continued.

Neil Baker’s side went into half-time level after a flat performance in the opening 45. At the interval, this game looked destined to end as a draw, but a big team talk from Neil Baker could have swayed the game into The Blues’ favour.

LEEK TOWN 0 - WORKINGTON 0 HT

The home side started the second half brightly and had the best chance of the game so far in the 53rd minute when Grice found the ball at his feet after a long throw into the box. His strike had considerable power but was heroically blocked by Sam Smith in the Workington back line.

This chance buoyed the Leek players and Tom Carr had another half-chance a few minutes later but a clever run to the edge of the box only resulted in a tame effort and a goal kick for Workington.

The game began to settle down again after an early flourish from Leek in the second half, with the original pattern being set. Workington goalkeeper Jim Atkinson had a big part to play in the possession-based play of his team, acting as a sweeper keeper when his defenders had the ball. Workington looked to have an extra player in their team because of the involvement of the goalkeeper.

Despite this, Leek had another chance to take the lead in the 71st minute. A late challenge from Steven Rigg on Scott Wara resulted in a free kick and a yellow card for the Workington man, and the set piece was swung in by Billy Reeves, flicked on by Wara himself and poked towards goal by Grice, but his shot was weak and didn’t trouble Atkinson in the Workington goal.

Five minutes later, Wara burst through the midfield and helped the ball onto Grice, and the Leek Town striker looked up and crossed the ball into the oncoming Carr, who couldn’t wrap his foot around the ball to direct it towards goal from 6 yards out, to a collective gasp from the Leek Town faithful.

The game opened up towards the end, with both teams realising that time was running out to find an important winner. Both teams had half chances but struggled to create anything clear-cut until the dying embers of the game.

Leek had their hearts broken in the last minute of the 90. A nervous clearance from Scott Wara flew up into the sky and was met by Steven Rigg and his flick-on found the grateful feet of Scott Allison, who had been quiet throughout the game but made no mistake in front of goal, firing the ball past Danny Roberts who was helpless to keep it out.

Leek had the better of the second half but couldn’t capitalise on their chances to take all three points. The timing of the late winner for their opponents just added to the frustration and The Blues couldn’t muster a final opportunity to find an equaliser.

LEEK TOWN 0 - WORKINGTON 1 FT

Neil Baker’s men must now find a string of three good results on the road over the next few weeks, against Kidsgrove Athletic, Prescot Cables and Hanley Town, to maintain the second position that they’ve held for so long this season.

Leek Town host the Sentinel Cup Quarter Final on Wednesday 8th February where Leek Town U18 play Newcastle Town U18, being a repeat of last year's finals.

Tickets are available HERE

REPORT BY KALLUM BATES

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Roberts
2. Bavanganga
3. Keenan
4. Grocott (c)
5. Harrison
6. Wara
7. Billington replaced by Baker (89)
8. Reeves
9. Grice replaced by Opoku (88)
10. Carr replaced by Trickett-Smith (88)
11. Davidson

Substitutes : Pickering (unused)
Attendance : 711