WORKINGTON TOWN coach Jonty Gorley hailed old stager Jamie Doran and teenage prospect Tyce Walmsley but was left to rue the two points which got away against Oldham.
Hosts Town produced a stirring fightback from 22-0 down before being toppled 28-24 by hat-trick man Matty Ashurst’s late try.
Gorley was pleased at the reaction to the previous week’s 56-12 home derby loss to Barrow – but understandably disappointed to miss out on what would have been a first win in four.
“We were five minutes away from beating one of the best teams in the Championship, and that shows what this side are capable of,” said the boss.
“When we were defending strongly and doing the basics properly, we looked a decent, confident team.
“There were times when Oldham looked like they weren’t sure what to do with the ball, and I think they got out of jail.”
Without his first-choice halfbacks Dom Wear and Jake Carter, Gorley switched 31-year-old former Wigan and Whitehaven player Doran from hooker to the halves and partnered him with teenage Huddersfield loanee Logan Blacker.
“They were both good,” he added. “I thought Jammer (Doran) rolled back the years and controlled the second half with his kicking game and pass selection.”
Forward Walmsley, 17 and from Whitehaven, rejected offers from Super League sides to in October sign a two-year contract (with a third-year option) at Workington and stay in Cumbria to continue his education.
He has been playing for community club Kells on dual registration, and was handed a second Town outing against Oldham, scoring a try.
“Tyce has been going well in training and going well for Kells and he deserved his call-up. He didn’t look out of place,” said Gorley.