On the back of a hard-fought first home win and a very good point away at Marske, Ossett United were ready for Workington in front of a sell-out crowd.
With Jack Normanton up front ably assisted by attacking midfielders pressing the Workington defence, Ossett made a strong start.
On 10 minutes, Jack Stockdill headed a Haswell corner into the Workington keeper’s hands.
Workington took over, forcing three consecutive corners, without delivering.
A cagey 15 minutes followed, with United using both flanks well as the half progressed, but without the killer final ball or enough bodies to convert.
The referee’s book dominated as the first half wound down, with no fewer than five players receiving yellows.
Four Ossett players received bookings in what was generally a clean-fought half. Workington’s Scott Allison converted a cross from the left in the first half’s final minute.
Three minutes into the second period Max Dearnley got a hand to Reuben Jerome’s shot, but couldn’t quite keep it out.
A third Workington goal was headed home by Brad Hubbold on 56 minutes.
Workington’s Symington and Wooding-Holt got the first cards of the half, as Ossett’s pressure built.
A Normanton cross towards Waud resulted in a corner. Ossett’s best move of the half involved Hardaker, Normanton and Green connecting well, with Green’s attempt from the right of the box just clearing the Workington crossbar.
At 83 minutes, a lunging tackle from Ossett substitute Reggie Waud brought the next cards. Some maintain it was a deserved red, some say more a yellow. We didn’t go on to win the game with ten men.
Two minutes later Casson became the final Workington yellow to round off an interesting afternoon for the man in black, with nine yellows and a straight red.
Workington converted their chances though, were well-drilled and showed quality in possession, deserving to take the three points back home to West Cumbria.
– By Rob Carroll
