Workington and Bromley must do it all again on Tuesday night after a pulsating cup tie that was a throwback to yesteryear.
On a pitch befitting a 1970s quagmire the conditions produced a match ripe for a ‘cupset’ as Workington used home field advantage to belie the supposed two league gap in class.
Truth be told Bromley will consider themselves very fortunate to get a second bite of the cherry as Jack Holland’s near post header 11 minutes from time cancelled out Phil McLuckie’s goal early in the second half.
Roared on by a vociferous season’s best crowd, Workington made light of the 47 places between themselves and Bromley as they more than matched their hosts across the 90 minutes.
That said it was Bromley who started the match the better with George Porter and Omar Bugiel spurning opportunities inside the opening ten minutes. Porter shooting straight at Aaron Taylor when well set and Bugiel having his effort smothered by the Workington custodian.
However as the pitch began to cut up badly the home side seized the initiative and took the game to Bromley. First the dangerous Dave Symington went close with a drive from 25 yards that fizzed past David Gregory’s left hand post, before going even closer minutes later when a jinking run from Nathan Waterston ended with his effort deflected off the post.
With several Bromley players unable to find their feet in amongst the mud they were reduced to having to take advantage of defensive errors. From one such error Porter was able to cross for Josh Rees in the penalty area but the goal scoring midfielder could only succeed in side footing his strike straight into Taylor’s welcome hands.
Workington were to end the first half the stronger and should have taken the lead when Symington worked space on the right wing but no Workington player could turn his driven cross in despite two being free at the back post.
The Reds were not made to rue that miss as straight after the re-start they took the lead their play had deserved. Good link up play between Symington and Waterston led to the latter crossing for McLuckie to fire a deflected drive home.
It could have been even worse for Bromley on the hour, a through ball took an assist off the pitch finding its way through to striker Scott Allison but his goal bound strike was deflected wide.
Bromley had failed to test Taylor in the Workington goal and with the pitch now resembling a mudbath their attacks took on an increasingly desperate nature.
20 minutes from time returning loanee Brandon Hanlan worked a golden opportunity but after cutting inside a defender he placed his shot wide of the post when it seemed easier to hit the target.
Just as all hope was running out for Bromley, Jack Holland promptly saved Bromley’s blushes meeting Frankie Raymond’s corner with a bullet header at the near post for his sixth goal of the season.
In many respects the poor nature of the pitch was a massive leveller for the Evo-Stick Premier side and one would sense that they may now have missed their opportunity to progress. There are few teams who would relish travelling the return 340 miles to Kent on a Tuesday night to play on an unfamiliar 3G pitch.
Bromley manager Neil Smith will no doubt be hoping that a return to home comforts will see Bromley assert their two league dominance in what should prove a very stern test for Workington.
The prize that awaits the winners will of course be known by Tuesday night as the draw for the quarter finals of the FA Trophy takes place on Monday 5th February.
Workington AFC: Aaran Taylor, Phil McLuckie, Gari Rowntree, Anthony Wright, Josh Calvert, Matty Douglas, Dave Symington (Rob Wilson 86), Jordan Holt, Scott Allison (Sam Joel 82), Nathan Waterson, Conor Tinnion
Subs not used: James Earl, Sam Smith, Jamie Mellen
Bromley: David Gregory, Luke Woolfenden, Tyrone Sterling, Josh Rees (Frankie Sutherland 90), Ben Chorley, Jack Holland, Luke Wanadio, Frankie Raymond, Brandon Hanlan, Omar Bugiel (Jordan Higgs 68), George Porter
Subs not used: Dan Johnson, Roger Johnson, Max Huxter
Goal scorers / Time of goal: Workington: McLuckie (49) Bromley: Holland (79)
Referee: Mr M Dicicco
Attendance: 890