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HEAVY DEFEAT AT WORKINGTON |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 18 February 2006 |
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Peter Wilson reports on VICS losing at Workington:
Workington 5 v 2 Vics
Vics management team are set with the task of turning the clubs fortunes around as hopes of a return to the National Conference at the first attempt are rapidly diminishing.
The loss of form of several key players, and a generally jaded look to the squad as a whole, has led to a sharp loss of confidence, most particularly in defence.
That was most certainly the case today and had it not been for several fine saves from Kris Rogers the margin of defeat could have been more embarrassing.
Yet ironically, and in keeping with recent events, it was Vics who ought to have taken an early two-goal lead. Roca found himself with time and space in front of goal but, just as at Kettering, failed to beat the keeper and then he turned provider to set Carr clear but again the keeper dashed out to win the contest. In direct contrast, Workington worked their first opening and BERKELEY outpaced the Vics defence to side foot a finish out of the reach of the exposed Rogers to give his side a 5th minute lead. Vics can rightly point to some ill luck when a Byrne free kick smacked against the inside of the post with the keeper beaten. Yet the danger signals remained and Rogers pulled off a superb save to turn a Birks header over the bar.
Vics continued to squander chances to get back on level terms and Byrne blasted a shot over the bar from a clever Allan lay off when a well placed shot would have done the trick and then the same player headed wide of an inviting target. Johnston and then, Vics debutant Chris Williams, playing an unaccustomed strikers role, both had penalty claims denied before BERKELEY again got behind a static Vics defence to score from close range and leave Vics with a second half mountain to climb.
If Vics felt they had been slightly unfortunate to be two goals down at the break they could have few complaints about the eventual outcome after a pitiful second half performance. Johnston turned all too easily inside the box to shoot against the post before substitute Brayson gave the travelling fans some hope by turning his marker to be tripped inside the box by Hopper, this had followed a superb save from Collin when he parried a particularly well struck Byrne shot. ALLAN made no mistake from the spot and Vics momentarily began to get their act together as another excellent Collin save denied Brayson. But just as quickly their hopes were dashed when more indifferent defending allowed Hoolickin to knock down a cross for BERKELEY to complete his hat trick. Gaghan replaced the anonymous Battersby to some effect but once again a pedestrian Vics rearguard was left flat footed and despite desperate claims for offside could only look on as Henney raced clear down the right channel to set up the advancing unmarked HOOLICKIN to score the most elementary of tap ins. Worst was to follow when another ball over the top left Payne hopelessly exposed and outpaced and substitute ARNISON gleefully blasted a fifth goal beyond Rogers. Gaghan made his mark with a late through ball that set CARR free and he beat the keeper to the chase to toe poke a late Vics consolatory second goal.
Attendance: 476
Pete Wilson
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 29 June 2008 )
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