REPORT: WORKINGTON AFC 5-3 UNITED

United's long trip north proved fruitful as they lost 5-3 at Borough Park on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Brad Hubbold and Dav Symington gave the home team a 2-0 lead in the first half, before an own goal and a volley from Charlie Wakefield off the bench saw the Ambers briefly tie things up after the break.

The Reds quickly re-established their two-goal lead through a sublime effort from Kofi Moore and Symington’s second of the game.

United again looked to be back into the contest after substitute Jack Thomas pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining, but a second goal from Moore in injury time ruled out any sort of comeback.

United dominated possession in the opening stages of the contest, but it was the home side who had the first real chance of the game. After the ball fell to Connor Tinnion on the edge of the Basford area, his subsequent shot sailed straight into the hands of debutant Louie Turner.

The effort gave Workington momentum, and a free-kick from the right-hand touchline found Niall Brookwell with space in the box, but his header looped well over.

The home team remained on the front foot for the majority of the first half but failed to really test Turner until Symington struck a sizzling effort from distance that the young shot-stopper turned around his right-hand post.

Basford then had a great chance to break the deadlock at the half hour mark, with Brodie Litchfield dancing through the Workington defence and driving into the area, but his ball across the face of goal was claimed by Jim Atkinson before Remaye Campbell could tap home.

But it wasn’t long after that the home team got their opener. Through bodies, Turner parried a shot before the ball bounced around the box and Hubbold drove it home.

And Workington doubled their lead just before the interval after a clearance found Symington just outside the area and he fired it into the bottom left corner beyond the unsighted 'keeper and the hosts lead by two at the half.

After the break, Symington tried to add to his own personal tally when he had a crack from distance, but it sailed well over the bar.

United almost pulled one back in wild fashion after a wayward cross from Dom Roma had Atkinson stumped, but the ball clipped the top of the crossbar.

The effort seemed to spark a little bit of life into the side and Wakefield, who had impressed since coming on at half time, played the ball to Remaye Campbell just inside the Workington box, but his powerful shot sailed over.

Wakefield was at the centre of play again shortly after, skipping through the heart of the home side’s defence, before his effort was turned behind by the keeper from which the Ambers pulled one back.

A wild scramble followed a dangerous corner from Wakefield and the ball eventually bobbled over the line by a home defender, potentially via Josiah Dyer's shoulder.

Momentum had firmly swung after the goal and Basford were back on level terms shortly afterwards. After Jack Thomas floated a ball towards the back post to Dyer who nodded it back to the substitute Wakefield who rifled it home on the volley.

They weren’t level for long, though, and as Workington regained the lead after a ball found Moore at a tight angle and his fierce volley flew into the far corner.

Symington then doubled his tally to regain the two-goal cushion not long afterwards when he side-footed into the near corner from the edge of the box.

A topsy-turvy game then allowed Thomas time and space in the box - on the end from a neat Wakefield pass - and, when one-on-one with the 'keeper - fired it beyond Atkinson to keep the tie alive.

However, all hopes were dashed when a long, hopeful clearance was raced onto by Moore, emanating from half-way, who fired beyond Turner to seal maximum points.

Despite their efforts in the second half, United made the 203-mile trip home empty- handed and are back in action next Saturday for derby day as they welcome neighbours Ilkeston Town to Greenwich Avenue (3pm).

UNITED: Turner; Bowman (Wakefield 45'), Carr, Roma, Angell; Cartwright (Thomas 53'), Makiessi, Litchfield, Goundry, Campbell (Dacres 76'), Dyer
SUBS (not used): Ritzema, Dearle

ATT: 713 [20 away]