Evo-Stik Northern Premier League
Saturday 30 December 2017
Rangers will feel they deserved at least a share of the spoils but it was Workington who took all three points to move into second spot in the table.
Rangers made the better start and could have taken the lead inside the first minute when Karl Hawley put Massiah McDonald in but Aaran Taylor stuck out his left boot to deflect the ball for a corner.
Workington came into the game and Nathan Waterson was inches away from converting Dave Symington’s cross – the ball flashing across the face of the Boro goal – then Anthony Wright’s shot from distance was deflected just over.
Twice Robert Thompson-Brown combined with Hawley to launch a counter attack that almost produced a goal for Stafford – the first ended with Jack Sherratt shooting just wide while the second saw Taylor keep out a well struck volley from Thompson-Brown who then sent the rebound along the Workington goal line.
Phil McLuckie hit the side netting for the visitors and it needed a timely intervention from Jordaan Brown to halt a threatening run from midfielder Robert Wilson as the visitors began to establish a stronger foothold.
Matt Douglas also missed out with a tame shot while Symington’s low drive came back off the post as the first half ended goal-less.
The second half began in a similar way to the first as Rangers had the better of the play but the trio of Thompson-Brown, Hawley and McDonald all failed to find the target.
Instead, it was Workington who were to break the deadlock on 64 mins with a spectacular 25 yard strike from Conor Tinnion that gave Adam Whitehouse no chance.
Stafford responded well and a good save from Taylor denied Jack Sherratt before the equaliser came, just 5 mins after Workington’s opener. McDonald linked with sub Osebi Abadaki who crossed for Thompson-Brown o steel in at the back post to volley home.
Abadaki then went wide from distance following a poor clearance from Taylor that left the Reds’ keeper out of position.
At the opposite end Whitehouse made an excellent double save to deny Waterson and McLuckie.
Whitehouse went one better on 77 mins with a triple save to deny Waterson but this time McLuckie found the back of the net to restore the Reds’ lead.
Taylor tipped over to deny Abadaki a late equaliser while Sherratt fired wide from around 25 yards.
Rangers: 1 Adam Whitehouse, 2 Izak Reid, 3 Kai Davis, 4 Kieran Morris (14 Osebo Abadaki 46m), 5 Mat Bailey, 6 Jordaan Brown, 7 Michael Calveley (12 Dan Westwood 87m), 8 Robert Thompson-Brown, 9 Karl Hawley, 10 Massiah McDonald, 11 Jack Sherratt. Unused Subs 15 Josh Craddock, 16 Richard Batchelor, 17 Joe Thomas
Workington: 1 Aaran Taylor, 2 Matthew Douglas, 3 Anthony Wright, 4 Daniel Wordsworth, 5 Josh Calvert, 6 Robert Wilson, 7 David Symington, 8 Phil McLuskie, 9 Scott Allison, 10 Nathan Waterson (12 Sam Joel 87m), 11 Conor Tinnion. Unused subs 14 James Earl, 15 Jamie Mellen, 16 Tommy Whitehead, 17 Leo Holliday
Cautions: Bailey, McDonald (Rangers) Calvert (Workington)
Referee: Greg Rollason
Att: 497
Chris Elsley
