There was an exciting double-header at Sandy Lane’s Windsor Foodservice Stadium on Saturday as Worksop Town’s Seniors, and U19’s, both collected victories, spectators witnessing an impressive, dozen goals in total.

On the morning, Ian Coupland’s Young Tigers, ran out 3-2 victors against visiting Worsbrough Bridge U19s and, as with the first team later in the day, were made to fight for their pre-season victory.

Racing into a three-goal lead inside half an hour, goals coming from Cole Purcell, Tom Rose and Cameron Baines, Worksop’s future looked home-and-dry, however, the Bridge fought back, pulling one back immediately after Baines’ goal, then adding a second early in the second period.

The Young Tigers however held on for the win, with both sides having chances to add further scores throughout the second, and Coupland, after picking up the win, told worksoptownfc.com that: “We had a squad of 16 players here today; 14 of them were under the age of 17, so to come away with a win is good and it makes us happy,” making the result all the more impressive.

“We like to play attacking football anyway,” Coupland added.

“We have had to tweak our normal formation to go to a back three, but we will always encourage them to try and outscore opposition as it is better for everyone and is more enjoyable for the fans.”

Meanwhile, on the afternoon, Craig Parry’s first team, battled from behind, twice, to go in level at the break, before claiming a hard-fought win over visiting Garforth Town, running out 5-2 victors.

Twice the visitors would lead, as three of four, first-half goals arrived inside fifteen minutes, Garforth opening the scoring after eleven minutes through Helmo Silva; almost immediately the Tigers were level, Lewis Gibbens heading home for 1-1.

Garforth would restore their advantage before fifteen minutes had been on the clock, Sam Barker firing home; Tigers’ Steve McDonnell would then miss a spot-kick of their own on 37 minutes after Connor Smythe was brought down, visiting ‘keeper, Wells, saving well.

There was time for more as well, when, shortly before the half came to a close, Zayn Hakeem equalised for a second time, the two sides going in level at the break.

The second period would see Parry’s Tigers gain control of the game and, within five minutes of the restart, they would take the lead for the first time, McDonnell smashing home a rebound after Hakeem’s effort was parried into his path.

Suddenly, the hosts were in the ascendency, and they weren’t letting go, although it would take until the final ten minutes before making it count, surprisingly, from the penalty spot – this time it was substitute Ify Ofoegbu who would make no mistake, firing home to open a two-goal cushion.

Then, with five minutes left on the clock, the Tigers wrapped up the victory from what was said to be ‘an unlikely source,’ and another substitute, this time Deegan Atherton registering, cutting in from the right, and rifling the ball home into the top left corner.

Watch the post-match interview from Tigers’ assistant manager, Luke Jeffs, HERE – Worksop’s next pre-season outing is at home to Huddersfield Town on Friday 23 July, kick-off 19:45.

Worksop Town: Sebastian Malkowski, Liam Bateman, Connor Smythe, Ben Turner, Jake Picton, Lewis Gibbens, Cody Cromack, Aleksandrs Starcenko, James Baxendale, Zayn Hakeem, Steven McDonnell (subs Deegan Atherton, Ify Ofoegbu, Aaron Sennett-Neilson).

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @worksoptownfc in game action as Atherton scores for Worksop.