Wonder Strike Wins It - Workington vs. Ashton United

Corner view of Borough Park

I had a week off work and so decided to spend a couple of days up in the North West as well as taking in a few games. The first one was at a ground I'd heard a lot about and that was Workington's Borough Park and it didn't disappoint. This would be my first new ground in a midweek game since Christmas last year. Workington came into the game after claiming four points from two difficult away trips to Whitby and Warrington - the later result leading to the Warrington managers stepping down. Ashton were on the edge of the play offs and were looking for points to close the gap between themselves and those above them. Although Workington did the league double over Ashton last season, tonight's visitors had the better form in previous matches between the two sides.

Kick off at Borough Park

Workington manage to get an early cross into the danger area but the Ashton defence is equal to it. Then when another cross is only cleared to the edge of the area, the Workington player lashes the ball into the top corner on the volley for a stunning goal to put the home side one up. Ashton almost equalise immediately as a cross to the back post finds the man in space but his header goes just over the cross bar. Both sides are getting into good attacking positions and the Ashton defence manges to clear after the Workington attacker plays the ball in from the byline. The Workington keeper then misjudges a back pass but lucky for him the resulting effort goes across goal and out to safety. The last chance of the half comes when the Ashton centre forward out muscles the Workington full back and fortunately for Workington, no one is able to get the vital touch.

The Workington player steadies himself before lashing the ball home

Ashton almost let Workington in early in the second half as the full back gives the ball away but the defence is able to cover for the mistake. The Workington winger is then played in out wide and his heavy touch means the chance goes begging. Ashton then think they have a good shout for a penalty as the forward is played in before he appears to be bundled over by the Workington defender but nothing is given. Shortly afterwards, a cross from out wide finds the man in space and his low shot forces a fantastic low save from the Ashton keeper. Workington now have their tails up as they put together a great passing which ends with the forward dragging his shot wide of the target. The Workington forward is then played in over the top and the keeper makes another great save with his feet to keep his side in it. Workington work themselves in again after a good 1-2 but the effort is hammered wide. 

Workington push for the second goal

Workington is obviously a long way from London and the train does take some time. To get there you have to take a train from Euston to Carlisle and change there for the train to Workington. Due to poor connection at Carlisle the journey takes the best part of five hours. Therefore staying overnight is the best option if travelling from London is staying overnight and The Waverley Hotel is perfect for this. The hotel is five minutes from the ground and also has one of the better bars in Workington. I don't know if it was because it was only Tuesday night but a lot of the pubs I'd researched ended up being shut. I'd ended up eating at The Henry Bessemer which is a Wetherspoons before going onto the chainey Bounty. The clubhouse at the ground had a good selection of drinks and as I mentioned earlier, the ground is absolutely worth the effort of getting there.

The Workington winger takes on the full back in front of the stand