The Hornets secured their first win of the New Year after a 3-1 victory sealed the perfect come back against Workington AFC after goals from Amar Purewal, Liam Noble and Paul Van-Zandvliet cancelled out Tom Stephenson’s opener for Workington AFC.

In the third minute, Noble swung in a ball towards Olly Martin, he then sent the ball towards Purewal, but Efe Ambrose for Workington headed the ball behind for a corner. Noble crossed the ball, but the chance was soon gone.

A minute later, a penalty was awarded to The Hornets. Joao Gomes was fouled in the box and the referee didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot. Purewal seized the opportunity and stepped up to take it, but he shot it wide over the oppostions’s crossbar.

In the eighth minute, Noble took a corner and crossed the ball towards Gomes who attempted a shot. However, the ball was blocked by Workington and eventually cleared away.

After a fast start by the Hornets, it was Workington who took an early lead as Stephenson was played clean through in the ninth minute, and he made no mistake in slotting the ball under Kieran Hunter to put his side ahead.

In the 11th minute, Workington won a free-kick as Jordan Little was fouled. David Symington put in the cross, but it evaded everyone and went out for a goal kick.

Another chance fell to Workington in the 15th minute when they won a corner, but their efforts fell flat.

On 16 minutes, Joe Walton passed a great ball towards Martin, he put in a cross to our Captain, Purewal, although the talisman striker couldn’t connect with the header as Workington were awarded a goal kick.

In the 20th minute, great link up play between Dan Savage and Walton, won us a corner. Noble put in the cross, Matty Elsdon took the ball and headed it back to Noble who put a low driven ball in, but Workington cleared their lines.

Martin won us a free-kick in the Workington half on 27 minutes after being fouled. Noble delivered the cross which found Michael Turner, he connected with a header, but Alex Mitchell for Workington got down to keep the ball out.

There was a major chance for The Hornets in the 30th minute of the game. Walton drove a low ball into the box and it forced Mitchell down low to save the initial attempt, with the ball falling to Martin at the back post, but his attempt hit the post and came back out.

However, the Hornets found the equalising goal in the 34th minute. Noble played an extremely clever through ball to Savage, and he drove the ball across the face of the goal, where Purewal took advantage as he tapped the ball into an empty net with ease.

In the 40th minute, Jamie Allen of Workington AFC received a yellow card. Moments later, the referee awarded Hebburn a free-kick. Noble crossed the ball, and Gomes shot the ball towards The Red’s goal, but it fell wide of the net.

It was a sign of things to come as the Hornets doubled their lead, just before half-time in the 44th minute. Walton delivered the ball to Purewal in the box, he laid the ball back for Noble, who subsequently fired the ball into the top corner.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Workington had a chance to get themselves level. Stephenson crossed the ball and Allen found himself with the ball. However, his effort fell short.

Savage won us a free-kick in the second minute of stoppage time deep in the Workington half. Noble crossed the ball, but Ambrose headed the ball away, which saw the first half come to an end.

During the 50th minute, Martin attempted a shot from the edge of the box, but he bent it over Mitchell’s crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Workington had another chance in the 51st minute to draw level, but Allen couldn’t convert from close range allowing Walton to clear the ball away.

Martin took another chance in the 52nd minute. He easily made his way down to the goal and took another shot, but Mitchell saved the ball at the top left corner.

Martin continued to cause Workington’s defence problems, as he played an excellent ball into the box in the 53rd minute, yet no one was there to take it.

Purewal attempted to get his second goal of the game in the 54th minute after Martin put in a low cross towards him. However, Little from Workington cleared the ball away.

Martin created another huge chance for the Hornet’s in the 58th minute as he broke free from Workington’s defence and crossed the ball to Gomes who tested his luck, but the shot fell wide of Mitchell’s goal.

Hunter made a great save in the 66th minute after Kai Nugent attempted to equalise from the edge of the box.

Workington’s Nugent then received a yellow card a minute later for a foul.

In the 73rd minute, Gomes made his way off the pitch as Paul Van-Zandvliet took his place.

Martin made an incredible effort in the 76th minute as he powerfully drove his way into the Workington box, but no one was there when he drove his ball back, leaving Ambrose to clear the ball away.

The 79th minute saw Savage come off the pitch and rested, as Liam Murray replaced him.

Aidan Heywood fought his way through the Workington defence in the 81st minute and passed the ball back towards Noble who took a shot at Mitchell’s goal, but his effort was saved by Mitchell.

However, Van-Zandvliet broke the tension and scored our third goal in the 83rd minute, as he curled one into the bottom corner out of Mitchell’s reach to put the game to bed.

A third change for The Hornets was made in the 83rd minute as Purewal came off the pitch and Bailey Adamson made his way on.

Our fourth and final change of the match was made in the 3rd minute of extra time as Noble was replaced by Harry Richardson who came on to make his league debut for the club.

Chances were far and between in the final minutes of the game as the referee blew for full-time to seal a perfect start to the year for The Hornets.

We are back in action this Saturday 4th of January, as we make the journey to Warrington Rylands, looking to extend our unbeaten run to four matches.

MOTM: Liam Noble
Att: 433

By Marcella Lamb