Workington AFC (A) – Match Preview

A first away trip of the season will see us trekking to Cumbria as we take on Workington AFC

A point in our opening game against a Bury side many have tipped to win the title is a point well earned, and we will be looking to build on that tomorrow night.

Steelmen league debuts for Ciaran, Connor, Lewis, Luke, and Andrei saw them all get minutes under wraps, though of course Connor and Lewis have played at this level before

Another clean sheet means Josh Mazfari is now on 51 throughout his Steelmen career, and there’ll be hopes he can continue to keep them as we play more matches

Nathan Guru’s appearance also means this is now his 5th season with us, and his third league in that many seasons too, with the defender having joined us back in the Northern League Division One in the 2022/23 season

Because there has only been one fixture, predictions will be varied, basic, and pretty pointless, with the consensus for our next fixture being another draw.

As with the Bury match preview, there isn’t a vast amount else to talk about in regards to stats and facts, so I might as well just move on to our opponents.

Onto our opponents, Workington AFC were founded in 1921, and in their 105-year existence have fluctuated between the EFL and down to step 4

The Reds have had a list of high-profile names at the club, including Bill Shankly managing them from 1954 to 1995, one of the youngest players to ever play in the Football League, Tony Geidmintis, OBE recipient Peter Foley, goalkeeper John Burridge, who appeared for 29 clubs, and former Celtic defender Efe Ambrose.

Recent history for Workington has been slightly less appealing, with relegations and play-off frustrations sandwiching the COVID postponements.

However, in the 22-23 season, they did achieve promotion back to Step 3, with play-off success secured via wins against Clitheroe and Runcorn Linnets.

Since then, they have remained at this level, avoiding relegation last season by a single point that they picked up by beating Warrington Town in what was the penultimate match of the season.

This campaign has started quite roughly for Workington, too, with a pair of goals within 6 minutes meaning they lost 2-0 to Gainsborough Trinity.

One of the two goals was via a substitute, with Ashton Offler brought on in the 70th, and then netting in the 73rd

After our fixture against the Reds tomorrow night, they then host Guiseley on Saturday, whilst we make a long trip down to Quorn.

Hope to see you at both of our next two fixtures!

Up the Steelmen!