Match Preview - Workington AFC
The Blues made it five consecutive wins following the penultimate match of the season, boosting us up to 8th place. It was an eventful game at the F Ball, which saw us take down Whitby 3–2.
We faced struggles in the first half and never really managed to get going, with our issues emphasized by Whitby’s Lewis Hawkins, who scored a stunner from outside the box. This was enough to see us go in 1–0 down at the break. In the second half, we came out fighting, with Lucas Weir equalizing in the 53rd minute before Louis Potts completed the turnaround 16 minutes later following sustained pressure in the final third. Lucas Weir then found the net again, securing both his brace and the win for Leek. Whitby did pull one back in the closing stages; however, it was too little too late, and we walked away from our final home game of the season with all three points.
The True-Blue Army Will Assemble At?
The Blues face a long trip to take on Workington AFC, with the journey from Leek Town covering around 170 miles and taking roughly three and a half hours. The route is straightforward overall, joining the M6 for the majority of the journey before crossing via the A66 through the Lake District and into Workington. While the motorway section is simple, the latter stages can be slower and more winding, so allowing a little extra time is advisable ahead of kick-off.
How Much to Get In?
- Adults: £14
- Concessions: £10
- Ages 16–17: £5
- Under 16s: Free
This is the last ever game at Borough Park and a higher than usual crowd is expected - whilst the game is not all ticket we are advising all fans to buy their ticket in advance and online to avoid disappointment
The Opposition
- Workington AFC – The Reds
- Formed – 1921
- Ground – Borough Park (capacity ~3,101)
- Gaffer – Billy Barr
Their website?
How Are They Doing?
Currently, The Reds sit safely in 17th place, as their recent 3–2 win over Warrington Town secured their Step 3 status for next season. The club have experienced a spike in form since we last played them, having previously been rock bottom.
More recently, they have won six out of their last ten matches to claw themselves out of the drop zone. From their 39 matches played this season, Workington have won 10, drawn 13, and lost 16, earning a total of 43 points, which is four points above the drop zone. The Reds had only claimed one win in their first 13 games before new head coach Billy Barr was appointed.
Their Main Man?
Dan Hopper has taken over as The Reds’ top goalscorer with a total of six goals at the age of 18. He began his football journey in the academy system at Carlisle United, joining as a teenager and progressing through the youth ranks. He developed steadily within the club, culminating in a senior breakthrough during the 2024–25 season, when he made his first-team debut in the EFL Trophy.
In July 2025, Hopper signed his first professional contract with Carlisle United, who were competing in the National League at the time. To gain valuable first-team experience, he moved on loan to Darlington FC in August 2025. The short-term switch to the National League North provided him with the opportunity to play senior football regularly, adapting to the demands of competitive non-league matches.
More recently, he has made the switch to Workington, where he has contributed to the club achieving safety this season.
Their Gaffer?
Billy Barr is the current manager of Workington AFC. Appointed in 2025, Barr is seen as a modern coach who has rescued the team from the threat of relegation this season, with his tactics proving key in strengthening the side.
During his playing career, Barr was a dependable non-league midfielder, known more for his intelligence, work rate, and positional sense than flair. He played across the North West, gaining experience in competitive and physical divisions that demanded tactical awareness and consistency. While not a headline-grabbing player, his understanding of the game and professionalism stood out and helped shape the coach he would later become.
After retiring, Barr moved seamlessly into coaching, building a strong reputation on the training ground. Under his leadership, Workington have begun to show progress, which they will hope to continue heading into the 2026/27 season.
Workington AFC – Have We Met Before?
The Blues have faced The Reds 22 times in recorded history, with Leek being the more successful side. The Blues have won eight, Workington have won six, and eight matches have ended in draws.
Our first meeting took place in 1988, when Brian Mellor scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory. Most recently, the sides played out a 2–2 draw back in November. Across the 22 matches, a total of 44 goals have been scored, with a near-even split (21 for Leek and 23 for Workington), averaging exactly two goals per game.
