SATURDAY 24th OCTOBER 2009

CUMBERLAND COUNTY CUP- ROUND 2

WORKINGTON SOUTH 1-3 CARLISLE CITY

Newcomers to the Tesco Cumberland League this season, Workington South had
been beaten 4-2 at the Sheepmount by City back in August. In that game, striker Chris
Major scored a hat-trick and he was restored to the City side at the expense of Steven
Bell, who started on the bench. Centre-half Craig Bell made his first senior start of the
season in place of the unavailable Carl Armstrong. In midfield, Olly Driver, Calvin
Rowell and Stuart Kilgour lined-up, in place of Mike Holliday, Giuseppe Amato and
Joe Blaylock. Workington had ex-Northbank and Gillford Park defender Marc Green
on the bench. The Salterbeck pitch was in reasonable condition although noticeably
sloping from side to side, and the strong wind was blowing towards the goal nearest
the changing rooms. Amongst the sparse crowd was Cumberland FA chairman Fred
Conway, casting an eye over two of his member clubs.

The home side played with the wind in the first period and dominated the early stages
of the game, as City struggled to keep hold of the ball. In the 7th minute, a long kick
from keeper Caton flicked off Hill’s head to go for the first corner of the game.
Dobbs’ flag-kick was punched away by Bradley. In the 12th minute, a free-kick from
Dobbs had to be cleared behind by the City defence for another home corner. On this
occasion, Cherry was able to head clear.

City were having to cope on mere scraps of possession and, in the 14th minute,
Driver’s free-kick was headed away by Workington’s Kilgour. In the 15th minute, the
home side took a surprise, but deserved, lead. A long ball forward from Holliday was
not dealt with by Bell, and Wood moved forward to round Bradley and slide the ball
into the empty net. Soon after the goal, play was held up as Driver required treatment
to an injury.

In the 22nd minute, City’s Kilgour was spoken to by referee Davison, who eventually
booked the City midfielder for dissent. After 25 minutes, there was a rare sight as the
referee utilised the 6-second rule as he penalised Bradley for holding the ball too long
in his area. The free-kick just inside the 18-yard box was deflected wide for a corner.
Holliday’s left-wing delivery caught on the strong wind and travelled out of play.

In the 29th minute, Dobbs went down injured and required treatment before
continuing. City finally managed to venture into home territory as Rooke found
Cherry, with Kilgour heading the cross clear. Within seconds, Driver found Cherry on
the right flank but, once again, the tall figure of Kilgour cleared his lines. In the 31st
minute, Dobbs played a 1-2 with Winder just inside the City half, and was flagged
offside as he ran into acres of space.

City were now beginning to see more of the ball and Driver’s quickly-taken free-kick
found Priest but the move broke down as Major lost possession on the edge of the
Workington box. Caton was tested for the first time in the 32nd minute as Rowell’s 20-
yard free-kick looked to be squeezing inside the post but the home keeper dived to
save. A heavy touch by Bradley as the ball was passed back to him gave Workington
a needless corner, and the City keeper kicked his goalpost in frustration. Holliday’s
left-wing kick was again hit too hard with the ball going out on the far side for a
throw-in.
In the 34th minute, City were close to an equaliser as an excellent cross from Rooke
was met well by Major, but Caton produced a fine save to push the ball away. A move
between Rowell, Kilgour and Rooke took City into the Workington box again, but
Dobbs did well to block Rooke’s shot. The loose ball dropped to Rooke again, but the
full-back fired well wide.

In the 38th minute, a foul on Priest gave City a free-kick and Driver looked for Yallop
with his cross, but the ball was cleared by the home defence. In the 42nd minute, City’s
Kilgour missed a great chance from close range after running onto Cherry’s cross,
with the ball rolling frustratingly wide. Just before the interval, Hill was forced to
head behind from Holliday’s free-kick. Once again, Holliday’s corner was too strong
as the wind continued to play a big part in proceedings.

HALF-TIME- WORKINGTON SOUTH 1-0 CITY

The sides changed round at the break with City knowing that they now had the
elements in their favour. However, it was the home side who quickly came close to
extending their lead as Hill had to stretch out a long leg to deny a speedy Workington
break. Driver headed the resulting corner away from danger. Within seconds, City’s
goal was leading a charmed life again as Wood latched onto the loose ball but saw his
shot rebound off the post and bounce to safety.

City seemed to recover their composure following this let-off, and Driver tested Caton
with a 25-yard shot. The home keeper was then again in action, saving Rooke’s drive
from outside the area. In the 52nd minute, a lovely pass from Rowell sent Kilgour
running into the Workington box, but the finish was weak and Caton saved easily.
The home keeper was now the busiest man on the park as he saved from Cherry.

At long last, City were controlling the game against their County League opponents,
and Kilgour’s through ball was cleared for a corner by Pearce. The corner came to
nothing and City made their first change, with Lupton replacing Major. Soon involved
in the action, Lupton was fouled by Peers and Caton did well to punch away Priest’s
free-kick. The next action for Caton was not so convincing as he fumbled nervously
and just managed to push Priest’s shot for a corner. Lupton’s flag-kick was headed
clear by the defence.

In the 58th minute, Caton slipped as he was taking a goal-kick and, with the clearance
not going far, Lupton was left with a great opportunity but blazed his shot over the
bar. City were certainly threatening an equaliser and it duly arrived in the 60th minute.
Priest’s shot inside the area was blocked but the ball spun up for Lupton to cleverly
head over Caton and into the empty net.

City were now using the elements to their advantage as the ball flew out for another
corner. Hill managed to get his head on the flag-kick but a foul was given for pushing.
In the 66th minute, Priest burst into the Workington area but Caton pushed his shot
away, with Peers completing the clearance. Yallop’s cross then found Lupton but the
City substitute’s header was saved by Caton.
The home side’s attacks were few and far between in this second period, but Yallop
headed clear Dobbs’ free-kick, with Holliday firing the loose ball wide. In the 72nd
minute, Lupton shot wide from just outside the Workington penalty box. At this stage,
Workington made a double change as Walker and G. Peers both came on.

After 74 minutes, City went 2-1 ahead as Priest collected the ball just inside the
Workington box and shot powerfully into the top corner of the net. Rowell then ran
well in side the home half, forcing Bennett to concede a corner. Driver’s kick was
headed wide by Lupton.

After 76 minutes, Heath replaced Rowell for City. A foul by G. Peers on Kilgour gave
City a free-kick, and Priest’s shot was flicked wide by Rooke. Another City free-kick,
taken by Hill, was headed well clear by A. Peers. In the 83rd minute, Caton saved well
from Priest, but he was powerless to stop City’s third goal in the 87th minute. Heath’s
neat pass slipped Priest clear in the Workington box, and the striker’s left-footed
finish put the ball inside the far post.

Priest was not given the opportunity to claim his hat-trick as he was replaced by
Steven Bell with two minutes to go. City continued to press for more goals and Hill’s
free-kick deflected wide off his team-mate Kilgour.

This game was far from plain sailing for City, as they trailed their hosts for 45
minutes. The young Workington South side will certainly cause problems for most
opponents in their league and look capable of mounting a title challenge. City
however go into the hat for the third round, due to be played on 28th November.

TEAMS- WORKINGTON SOUTH- Caton, Bennett, A. Peers, Kilgour, Pearce,

Holliday, Hunter, Shepherd, Wood, Winder, Dobbs. SUBS- Green, G. Peers, Walker.
CITY- Bradley, Rooke, Yallop, Hill, C. Bell, Driver, Kilgour, Rowell, Major, Priest,
Cherry. SUBS- Lupton, Heath, S. Bell, Burton

REFEREE- W. Davison (Workington)

BOOKING- Kilgour (City)

MAN OF THE MATCH- Holliday (Workington), Priest (City)