SCARBOROUGH ATHLETIC V WORKINGTON

FA Cup 1^st Qualifying Round

Another previously unvisited ground hosts A Good Cup Run this week, the Flamingo Land Stadium, Scarborough where the ‘Sea Dogs’ will take on Workington. It’s all-NPL, Division 1 North v Premier Division, and hopefully home advantage will offset league status to give a good even game. This is the first season back in town for Boro after a decade in exile at Bridlington, so fan interest is high and there’s a crowd of about 800.

The new home has a 3G pitch, glowing green in the sunshine and new enough for puffs of black rubber granules to explode from every bounce of the ball. As for the ground, there is an elevated grandstand along one touchline, a covered terrace behind one goal, and low level standing elsewhere, at least for paying customers – others could join the donkeys on the field rising up the hillside opposite the main stand.

Both teams make a lively start. Workington have the ball in the net following a long throw, but it’s ruled offside and then Scarborough begin to pepper their opponent’s goal with shots from Billy Logan (just wide) and Luke Dean (well saved at the top corner) and a threatening run by Max Wright that ends with a hefty challenge in the box ruled just legal by the referee.

The attempts at the other end, a shot from Scott Allison and a header from Connor Tinnion, produce no more than regulation saves from Tom Taylor in goal. His opposite number Aaran Taylor remains the busiest keeper up to half time, pulling off another good save or two and ensuring it remains goalless at the break.

But not long beyond. Two minutes after the restart Scarborough’s Nathan Valentine gets himself behind the Workington back line and has the coolness to sidefoot past the keeper; Aaron Taylor still gets a hand on the ball but can’t prevent its progress into goal.

Scarborough don’t sit back, their natural game seems to be to win the ball and go forward quickly. A header by centre half Matty Turnbull, up for free kick, and a shot from Valentine are on target but easily saved; a cross shot from left back Dave Merris is more problematic but results in no more than a corner kick.

That is Scarborough’s high point as Workington increasingly come into the game late on. It is a close call when, from one of their corner kicks, a header hits the underside of the bar and bounces on, or near, or over the goal line. The assistant referee is confident that it’s no goal so play just goes on despite Workington appeals.

A rare break for Scarborough sees substitute Emile Sinclair get to a through ball ahead of the advancing keeper, but his lob finds only the base of the post and rebounds to safety. Otherwise it is relentless Workington pressure with keeper Taylor joining the attack for late corners and free kicks.

When a final free kick is headed wide the referee blows up to finish a good cup tie that was more entertaining than the scoreline may suggest. The one Scarborough goal settled it, seeing the Step four club through to the next round at the expense of their step 3 visitors.