Lancaster City host Workington AFC looking to close gap on playoff spots 

Lancaster City will welcome Cumbrian side Workington AFC to The Giant Axe hoping to make it four wins in a row.

The most recent of those victories came away to Ilkeston Town, where Lancaster won 3-2.

Chris Willcock, who has been the Dolly Blues’ boss since mid-January, said the football his team played was “a joy to watch”.

Charlie Bailey scored two of Lancaster’s three goals in that game and he, along with Dom Lawson, is the club’s top scorer for the season with seven strikes. 

City’s decent form of late has seen them climb to eighth in the NPL Premier Division, just three points behind Worksop Town, who are in fifth - the last of the playoff places. 

Lancaster lost away to Workington in the reverse fixture in September.

It will be a game that both sets of fans will look forward to, with the fixture having provided entertaining and fiery contests prior to Workington’s relegation in 2019. 

They are 15th but have been involved in several entertaining games this season.

They are the sixth highest scoring team in the division with 54, but have conceded 61 goals, which is the joint third worst defensive record in the league this season.

Workington also have one of the division’s worst away records, winning just two of their 14 games on the road and picking up 10 points (four draws, eight losses) from a possible 42. 

‘The Reds’ finished 3rd in the NPL Division One West last season and won the playoffs, which saw them move up to the seventh tier. 

A key player for them during 2022/23 was Matty Clarke, who joined Lancaster in the summer.

The versatile defender won City’s Player of the Month award for January.

Lancaster may need to be wary of one Workington player in particular on Saturday - David Symington. 

The 30-year-old, formerly of Football League clubs Carlisle and Barrow, has netted 20 goals this season for Workington.

He has not scored in the Reds’ last four games, so it could be said he is due a goal. 

Lancaster City v Workington AFC kicks off at 3pm on Saturday (February 17) at The Giant Axe.