Workington v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 7 December 2024 - 15:00 | League

Blyth Spartans left Cumbria disappointed after a 4-1 defeat to Workington.

The hosts scored two goals in the first 13 minutes to pile the pressure on Spartans. Efe Ambrose scored in the 6th minute before Grewal doubled their lead in the 13th minute.

Spartans got off to a good start in the second half when Shay Richardson grabbed one back in the 55th minute. Unfortunately, Workington grabbed two quick goals in 10 minutes when Symington scored from a direct free-kick in the 72nd minute and then Rigg made it 4-1 in the 79th minute with a long range effort.

Blyth made three changes to the team that lost 5-1 away to Bamber Bridge. New signing Patrick McClafferty, Leon Burke and Lucas Reed all came into the team. Youngsters Robert Kinniburgh and Charlie Whittaker were on the bench.

In the 6th minute, Blyth won a free-kick out wide on the left when Charlie Aitken was brought down. Lucas Reed whipped in a free-kick towards Almond but it went over his head. He was able to get back but when he tried to charge down the right wing, his touch was too heavy and he ran it out of play.

The hosts took the lead in the 10th minute when Efe Ambrose headed home from a corner. Workington then doubled their lead 3 minutes later when Ruben Grewal tucked it in at the back post.

Spartans got a chance in the 17th minute when Leon Burke got a shot away inside the box that forced Jack Barrett to make a save.

5 minutes later, Matthew Bancroft was forced into a save when Steven Rigg had a headed effort at the near post. Workington nearly made it 3-0 in the 27th minute when Rigg went for an impressive overhead kick that rattled the crossbar.

Workington continued to push for a third goal with Bancroft having to make a save to deny Kai Nugent from the inside the box.

It was then Blyth's turn to force the keeper into action in the 36th minute as Charlie Aitken unleashed an effort with the outside of his foot that forced Barrett to make a diving save.

Workington's Jake Allan got the last chance of the first half when his strike from outside the box was comfortably saved by Bancroft.

Half time: Workington AFC 2-0 Blyth Spartans

Blyth managed to get a goal back in the 55th minute when Cyril Giraud impressively carried the ball forward before giving it to second half substitute Dean Briggs to curl a cross in for an unmarked Richardson in the box to head home.

Spartans did get into the game more in the second half but struggled to create clear cut chances.

In the 66th minute, Jamie Allen charged into the box and had a strike at goal that went wide of the far post.

Almond picked up a booking in the 70th minute for a push on a player just outside the box. Workington's captain David Symington then stepped up and scored directly from the resulting free-kick to make it 3-1 to Workington.

Then in the 78th minute, Steven Rigg took advantage of an error from Bancroft to score from distance to make 4-1 to Workington.

Bancroft was able to stop Rigg scoring again when he pulled off a save to deny him in the 87th minute.

Full time: Workington AFC 4-1 Blyth Spartans

Workington AFC - Barrett, Barnes (Clarke, 82'), Fitzpatrick, Allan (Galloway, 76'), Pani, Ambrose, Symington (c), Grewal (Strachan, 69'), Rigg, Nugent (Casson, 60'), Allen (McDonough, 82')

Goals - Ambrose (10'), Grewal (13'), Symington (71'), Rigg (78')

Yellow cards - Pani (41'), Symington (57'), Strachan (90+1)

Blyth Spartans - Bancroft, Oliver, Holvey, Richardson, McClafferty, Almond, Giraud, Burke, Aitken (Dixon, 80'), Reed (Briggs, 52'), Deverdics © (Whittaker, 80')

Subs not used - Kinniburgh

Goals - Richardson (55')

Yellow cards - Aitken (58'), Almond (70'), Briggs (90+1), Richardson (90+1)

Referee - S. Ross