Ian Richards secured his first win as Lions manager on a wet Tuesday night at Workington’s Borough Park home, writes Adam Bridson.
Jack Emmett’s strike from close range settled the contest which was played in tricky conditions after a wet day in Cumbria.
The Borough Park surface passed two pitch inspections ahead of the game but proved hard to play on with players from both sides slipping on a regular basis throughout the game.
Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes to 8pm after the Lions team arrived late due to traffic problems on the journey from West Yorkshire.
It was nearly a disastrous start for the visitors, Ollie Brown cut out a dangerous move from the hosts in the opening seconds.
Richards’ men quickly settled into the contest and Amir Berchil jinxed past a home defender and found the head of George Goodman but he couldn’t keep his effort down.
It would have been the perfect start to Goodman’s second month on loan from Bradford City having signed an extension to his deal earlier in the day.
Workington had the next opportunity 12 minutes in when Steven Rigg cut in from the left hand side and shot twice but both efforts were blocked by the Lions defence. The ball then fell for Greg McCaragher but his effort was scrambled clear.
Two minutes later Will Longbottom, who had looked dangerous on set pieces all night, nearly caught out Alex Mitchell in the home goal but the keeper recovered to gather the ball.
With the game 26 minutes old Jordan Thewlis looked to have picked out Harrison Hopper in the box but Jordan Little made a vital interception to deny the midfielder.
Four minutes before the break Emmett finished off Longbottom’s corner with a slight touch for what proved to be the only goal of the night. The Lions had been pushing and deserved their goal before the interval.
The second 45 started at a frantic pace with Workington pushing for a leveller. Neither keeper was tested in the early stages with both sides looking threatening but struggling to create clear cut chances.
In the 67th minute Thewlis thought he had doubled his side’s lead when he stumbled Lucas Odunston’s low cross into the net from close range but the assistant referee had his flag up for offside to rule the goal out.
A minute later, as the Workington defence began to panic, Longbottom’s shot from 12 yards out took a hefty deflection but Mitchell still had to be at full stretch low down to his left to keep it out.
Workington had pumped the ball into the Lions’ box all night but saw little reward for their aerial bombardment with the men in yellow keeping strong and alert to the danger.
With five minutes left Connor Ferguson picked out Thewlis in the box and the striker swivelled but couldn’t get the ball out of his feet and the hosts recovered to clear.
There was time for one last Workington chance, a corner found its way to Tyler Magloire at the back post but the defender couldn’t get his effort on target and it flew just over the bar with Joe Cracknell stranded.
It meant the Lions had won and kept a clean sheet in the league for the first time since September and Richards’ unbeaten run was extended to three games after successive 1-1 draws in his opening two matches.
After the game Richards praised the players and travelling fans who made the trip up to Cumbria in tricky conditions and had to travel home through snowfall in the North West.
“Some players have travelled four hours, their professionalism, discipline and work rate was exceptional. A huge thank you to the supporters, we met a number of them at the services on the way up here and we just cannot thank them enough for their dedication to this football club and these players. I am glad they have been rewarded.”
The Lions are back on home soil on Saturday hosting Ashton United in a 3pm kick-off at Nethermoor. Tickets can be purchased at the turnstiles by cash or card payment priced at £13 adults, £9 concessions, £5 U17s and £1 U11s.
Workington 0-1 Guiseley | Tuesday 18th November 2025 | Borough Park
Attendance: 694
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Connor Ferguson, 4. Lebrun Mbeka (C), 5. George Goodman, 6. Ollie Brown, 7. Harrison Hopper, 8. Jack Emmett, 9. Jordan Thewlis, 10. Will Longbottom (78′ Knight) and 11. Amir Berchil (72′ Silva).
Subs: 12. Calum Hudson, 13. Spencer Booth (GK), 14. Joao Silva, 15. Lewis Knight and 16. Zac Rushworth.
