Castle unbreached as Barwell take the win

NORTHERN PREMIER

BARWELL brought back three excellent points from the tough trip to Workington as they ended the hosts’ 100% record so far this season, writes Murray dworkin.

A match-winning performance from returning keeper Liam Castle who was covering for the injured Max Smith-Varnam ensured that the visitors left with a clean sheet to make the journey home much easier to endure.

A goal from Tyrell Shannon-Lewis in the 53rd min- ute following a penalty save just before the break were the highlights of a tough game where the visitors were able to frustrate the home side throughout the match.

Nothing was clear cut until in the 36th minute, a goalbound shot from the Reds’ Dave Symington rebounded off the Barwell bar. The follow up saw Joe McGee fouled by Declan Towers conceding a penalty.

The spot kick from Scott Allison was brilliantly saved by Castle diving low to his right to continue the clean sheet for the Canaries. In the aftermath, there were shouts for a further penalty but the referee saw no infringement.

Further saves followed from Castle as he denied McGee and Conor Tinnion to maintain the status the Status Quo going into the break.

The second half saw a shift in fortunes as it was Barwell who started the better and a shot from Shannon-Lewis drew out a save from Aaron Taylor, diving at full stretch to tip over the bar.

With 53 minutes played, a combination from the Canaries gave ShannonLewis a chance to finish from eight yards which he took with aplomb.

As the game progressed, Workington threw what they had at Barwell but the central defensive partnership of Declan Towers and Joe Ballinger coped with everything that was thrown at them.

Barwell’s closest chance after this came to Brady Hickey who grazed the bar from a free-kick from the right.

As the game approached stoppage time, Workington managed to engineer a clear cut chance but Rob Wilson was unable to convert as he blasted over the bar from eight yards.