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Sport Workington · West Cumbria

Luke Hunter bags a hat-trick before half-time and the Reds are through in the FA Trophy Luke Hunter's first-half hat-trick sends Workington AFC past Cleethorpes Town in the FA Trophy

By Kris WM, editor 3 min read From isthmian.co.uk
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Luke Hunter's first-half hat-trick sends Workington AFC past Cleethorpes Town in the FA Trophy
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Three goals for Luke Hunter, all before the break, and the Reds held on to beat Cleethorpes 3-2. Next up in the Trophy is a trip to Ashton United on 14 November.

This one's for Reds fans, and anybody who couldn't get down for the rearranged Trophy game on Tuesday night.

Workington AFC beat Cleethorpes Town 3-2 in the FA Trophy first round at the Fibrus Community Stadium. Luke Hunter got the lot for the Reds, three goals before half-time, and it's his first hat-trick for the club. It was 3-1 at the break, Cleethorpes nicked one back after it, but the lads saw it out.

There were 404 there. The game was meant to be Saturday but the pitch was under water when Boelo blew in, and on Tuesday only the Grandstand side was open because the storm had knocked the Popular Side about a bit.

The club said beforehand that it had never beaten Cleethorpes, so that's a first. The reward is a trip to Ashton United on Saturday 14 November.

Bit of other news from the camp: defender Joe Grayson has started coaching in Preston North End's academy, where his dad Simon was once manager. He's still one of Billy Barr's players, mind, and Cumbria Crack says he's been missing lately with a calf injury. He won the FA Trophy at Wembley with Gateshead in 2024, and signed for the Reds on non-contract forms in August.

Billy Barr had his say after the game on the club's own channels.

What you can do: stick Saturday 14 November in the calendar for Ashton, and keep an eye on the club's website and socials for tickets and travel.

Workington AFC beat Cleethorpes Town 3-2 in the FA Trophy first round on Tuesday night, with all three goals from Luke Hunter before half-time. The Reds now travel to Ashton United in the second round on 14 November.

This is for Workington AFC supporters, and for anyone who couldn't get to the rearranged FA Trophy tie on Tuesday night.

Workington AFC beat Cleethorpes Town 3-2 in the first round of the FA Trophy at the Fibrus Community Stadium. Luke Hunter scored all three of the Reds' goals in the first half, his first hat-trick for the club, and Workington led 3-1 at the break. Cleethorpes pulled one back in the second half but the Reds held on.

The official attendance was 404. The tie had been called off on Saturday because of standing water as Storm Boelo arrived, and only the Grandstand side of the ground was open on Tuesday after the Popular Side suffered minor storm damage.

Before the game the club said a win would be its first ever against Cleethorpes, and the result books a second round trip to Ashton United on Saturday 14 November.

Away from the match, the club's defender Joe Grayson has started coaching in Preston North End's academy, a club once managed by his father Simon. He remains part of Billy Barr's squad, and Cumbria Crack reports that his recent absences have been down to a calf injury. Grayson, who is UEFA qualified, helped Gateshead win the FA Trophy at Wembley in 2024 and joined the Reds on non-contract forms in August.

Billy Barr gave his reaction to the win in a post-match interview on the club's channels.

What you can do: put Saturday 14 November in the diary for the trip to Ashton United, and watch the club's website and social media for ticket and travel details.