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Fleetwood
Town
Reserves 1 Workington Reserves 2:
Lancashire League
Cup
Quarter Final
15th
March 2008
Goal: FTFC – Steve Foster
In what was the tie of the round, Workington progressed
to the last four courtesy of a Michael Tallentire own
goal six minutes from time. Both sides can take credit
for a very entertaining encounter, the visitors were out
of the blocks the quicker of the two sides and Fleetwood
soon realised they were up against the best side they
have met this season. It took ten minutes or so for Town
to get their act together and apart from the opening
period the game was evenly matched with perhaps
Workington shading the lion’s share of possession.
Fleetwood should have opened the scoring after twenty
minutes when Chris Watkinson burst through the static
Workington defence, but his left foot shot was dragged
well wide of the post. Workington were mainly content to
hit long balls to use the forwards blistering pace to
its best effect but Mike Hale was not called upon to
make many saves. Hale's handling was superb all night
and he constantly collected the crosses that came his
way .
The home side were dealt a cruel blow when Paul Haddow
had to come off with a suspected dislocated jaw after he
bravely closed down a shot and took the full power of it
in the face. Fleetwood then had a golden opportunity to
open the scoring with five minutes of the first half
remaining when they were rewarded with a penalty kick
following a defender's handball. Steve Foster stepped up
to take the kick but his shot was well saved by the
keeper diving to his left. Almost immediately the
Cumbrian's took the lead, following another long ball
the Town back four were caught square and despite more
than an hint of offside, Hale was found himself stranded
and was promptly lobbed.
The second period was full of niggles with the
Workington side trying to run down the clock at every
opportunity. They are a good side but some of their
antics frankly let them down. They were constantly
chipping away at the Referee and used their youthful age
to influence the official on more then one occasion.
Fleetwood were not to be out done though and they
equalised with half an hour to go. Watkinson crossed for
Foster to side step the keeper and score from close
range. The game was seemingly heading for extra-time
with both sides not really breaking the other one down.
However, a weak goal bound effort from Workington struck
Tallentire and the deflection was enough to send Hale
the wrong way and give the visitors a rather fortuitous
winner.
There were some good performances from Fleetwood; Hale,
Tallentire and Hone probably the pick but, to be honest,
Town had too many players below par and Workington
deserved their victory.
The two League games to come between the two sides will
almost certainly decide the League title and judging by
this game it will be a very close finish. The question
is, have Workington played to their full potential in
this game? If they have, Fleetwood can go into those
games confident of winning because I know Town have a
lot more to give than they produced in this game.
Team: Hale, Eden (Cowell75), Hone, Moran M (Bryan
60), Tallentire, Haddow (Warwick 20), Webster, Matthews,
Watkinson, Foster, Reid. Subs not used: Murray
and Bailey.
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