By John Fuller

Last updated at 12:36, Thursday, 14 April 2011

Workington Reds 2 Worcester City 0: A wonder strike by Gareth Arnison helped Workington Reds secure a 2-0 victory over Worcester City.

The moment of the game came a minute before the break when the goal ace collected a loose ball, took it in his stride, and let fire from 35-yards.

The ball dipped and swerved past City keeper Dean Coleman on its way into the back of the net.

Arnison netted his second brace in as many matches when he converted a 57th minute penalty to condemn Worcester to a second defeat in three days.

The striker is deadly from the spot and coolly converted, sending Coleman the wrong way after Lee Andrews was pushed to the ground.

Boss Darren Edmondson elected to stick with the same side that comprehensively beat Stafford at the weekend with Conor Tinnion keeping his place in the starting XI.

The match, which was originally scheduled for January 29 until freezing weather conditions called a halt the contest, was delayed by half an hour after the City bus was caught up in traffic.

When play finally got under way City lacked any kind of spark and rarely ventured far enough up the pitch to test young Workington keeper Aaran Taylor.

Midfielder Tom Thorley was the only man to come out of the game with any credit for the visitors, as he worked tirelessly in the centre of the park.

It was Thorley who hit the first shot in anger on two minutes when he stung Taylor’s palms following a sweeping move involving Neil Cartwright and Kevin O’Connor down the right.

That was as good as it got for City in the first half as Workington grew in stature and took hold of the game.

Passes began to stick but the frontline failed to stay onside when the killer ball was played.

Jonny Wright was as guilty as any for failing to run the line to his advantage.

The hosts had chances to open the scoring but misfired in front of Dean Coleman in the Worcester goal.

Lee Andrews headed Shaun Vipond’s corner over while his defensive partner Kyle May mistimed his header from another set piece.

Despite Workington trying to build momentum, referee Dave McCallum kept blowing up for niggly fouls.

His reluctance to let play go on spoilt the game with both sets of coaching teams fuming at his decisions.

Reds’ assistant Viv Busby had heated words with the Georide official and was threatened with dismissal for debating some questionable calls.

On the pitch, City were disjointed and failed to put together and kind of move that would hurt Workington. Their inability to string passes together would prove costly as Reds took the lead a minute before the break.

Top scorer Gareth Arnison picked up a loose ball and fired into the top corner from 35-yards to gift Workington the lead.

The goal was the striker’s 13th strike of the season and he didn’t have to wait long to notch his second of the night.

Andrews was sent sprawling inside the City box after Asa Charlton pushed him to the ground. Referee McCallum pointed to the spot and Arnison sent Coleman the wrong way.

Workington had further chances to extend their lead but Jonny Wright’s close range effort was well saved by Coleman and Conor Tinnion’s low drive was deflected wide.

The lively Nick Rogan showcased his skills just past the hour mark when he jinked his way through the Worcester defence before laying off to Tinnion. The winger hit it first time and the ball deflected past the post. From the corner, Tinnion picked up a half-cleared ball but lashed a shot wide.

With a two goal lead, Reds began to turn the screw. They stifled the play, not allowing Worcester to gain any momentum.

Arnison was denied his hat-trick with Edmondson opting to rest his top scorer with 10 minutes to go. Andy Murray-Jones was his replacement.

The best City could offer in the second half was a dipping free-kick by Danny Glover which sailed inches past the post with Taylor scrambling across his line.

Workington controlled the game from then on and held out for a win that meant Edmondson’s side moved up to 10th.

Workington Reds: Taylor, Langford, A Wright, May, Andrews, Vipond, Rogan, Hewson (Main 75), J Wright, Arnison (Murray-Jones 80), Tinnion (Hindmarch 84). Subs not used: Blake, Swinglehurst.

Attendance: 246

Referee: Dave McCallum (Tyne & Wear)

Star man: Anthony Wright was solid throughout. Defending strongly and aiding the attack with pace.

First published at 11:30, Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk