Bury 5–1 Workington | FA Cup | 19 September 2026

Result Summary

Bury produced a commanding FA Cup performance at home, dismantling Workington with a 5–1 victory that was ultimately far more comfortable than the early stages suggested. Anthony Johnson's side fell behind in the opening exchanges but responded with authority, turning the tie on its head before half-time and then pulling clear with three further goals in the second half. William Barr's Workington will reflect on a chastening afternoon that exposed the gulf between the two sides on the day.

Match Analysis

Workington drew first blood, finding the net on 17 minutes to give themselves a surprise lead that briefly unsettled the home side. However, any hope of a cup upset was firmly extinguished by Bury's equaliser on 38 minutes, restoring parity before the break and shifting the momentum decisively toward the hosts.

The statistics tell a story of near-total Bury dominance. 59% possession against Workington's 41% allowed Johnson's side to dictate the tempo throughout, while their attacking output was particularly impressive — 24 shots in total, with 10 on target, compared to Workington's seven shots and five on target. The sheer volume of 114 attacks to Workington's 97, and 80 dangerous attacks to 57, illustrates how relentlessly Bury pressed for goals.

The second half was where the tie was truly settled. Goals at 59' and 64' — coming in quick succession — effectively ended the contest as a competitive fixture, and a fifth goal on 83 minutes added gloss to what was a thoroughly dominant display. Workington's discipline also wavered as the game progressed; they conceded nine fouls to Bury's four and were caught offside four times, suggesting their attempts to play a higher line were consistently undone by the home side's movement.

Bury's efficiency was particularly noteworthy. Despite registering 14 shots off target, they converted enough of their 10 on-target attempts to run out comfortable winners — a conversion rate that underlines the clinical edge they showed once ahead. Workington, by contrast, were unable to capitalise on their five shots on target beyond the early goal.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match forecast of a 2–0 Bury victory with a 58% probability of a home win proved directionally correct — Bury did win, validating the core prediction — though the margin of five goals exceeded the projected scoreline considerably. The relatively modest confidence rating of 53/100 reflected uncertainty, which was understandable given the cup context, but the home side's dominance across every statistical category suggests this result, if not its precise magnitude, was well founded. A correct outcome, even if the actual performance surpassed expectations.

Key Takeaways

• Bury's second-half ruthlessness was the defining factor, with three goals after the break turning a tight contest into a rout.
• Workington's early goal proved a false dawn; their inability to defend Bury's sustained pressure was ultimately their undoing.
• The shot volume disparity (24 vs 7) highlights how one-sided the contest became once Bury found their rhythm.
• Anthony Johnson will take considerable encouragement from a performance that delivered both goals and clean defensive discipline, conceding just the one early strike.
• Workington and William Barr will need to regroup quickly, with lessons to learn from a heavy defeat in which their tactical discipline — evidenced by four offsides and nine fouls — was found wanting.