Harrogate Town 2 Workington 0 Att.339
A carnival atmosphere prevailed at Wetherby Road for the last home match of the season,largely helped by the Workington fans in colourful fancy dress.
In a typical end of season game both teams found it difficult to master the dry pitch and bouncy ball.
In the first minute, Workington’s Shaun Vipond found Johnny Wright, who fortunately for Town shot straight at Mark Cook.
Town countered and Lee Andrews had to make a timely tackle to end Richard Marshall’s strong run.Town’s Cook was the busier keeper;saving brilliantly from Wright,then blocking Gareth Armson’s shot on the turn.
Harrogate began to threaten and Jake Picton volleyed Adam Nowakowski’s header from a free kick over the bar.
An Andrews foul on Graeme Armstrong presented Wayne Phillips with an excellent opportunity to give Town an interval lead,but he drove his free kick straight at Aaran Taylor in the visitor’s goal.
Town started the second half well with Steve Gardner,Danny Wright and Philips combining well to set up Ciaran Toner,whose attempt was quickly smothered.
Harrogate broke the deadlock after fiftytwo minutes when Marshall turned in Danny Wright’s measured lob via the far post.
Town created a string of chances as Workington were forced back into desperate defence.
Marshall and Armstrong went close with headers and Toner side-footed over the bar after Taylor had spilled a vicious shot from Phillips.
The Reds retaliated and Cook saved well from Johnny Wright at the near post,before a low centre across the Town goal evaded everyone.
With four minutes remaining Graeme Armstrong made the game safe when he headed in from close range after a Phillips cross rebounded off Taylor.
After the game, in a ceremony in the Kickers Bar,Town chairman Bill Fotherby,presented the Chairman’s Player of the Year Trophy to the popular recipient Dominic Roma.
John Harrison.
