Workington Reds have brought in their first new face of the close-season – a bustling centre-forward from their play-off conquerors Marine.
Lewis Reilly, 22, was very impressive in Marine’s 2-1 NPL West win over Reds on Easter Saturday, scoring a well-taken goal.
He also played in the play-off semi-final win by Marine at Borough Park when he was replaced by Niall Cummins before the end of 90 minutes.
Liverpool-born Reilly was signed by Crewe Alexandra in 2017 and made a brief substitute appearance in an EFL Trophy tie with Newcastle Utd Under-21’s to get his first taste of the first team.
He made his first start in a Crewe shirt on 7 November 2017, again in the EFL Trophy, and scored twice in a 4-2 defeat by Port Vale at Vale Park.
Reilly made his league debut, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute at Morecambe on November 21 2017, and made three further substitute appearances before being named in the starting line-up for Crewe’s home league game against Wycombe Wanderers on January 20 2018.
He was release by Crewe in June 2020 and joined National North side Chorley where he scored six times in 14 appearances.
Reilly signed for Marine at the start of last season and went on to play 25 times, scoring seven goals.
After signing for the Reds, he said: “I cannot wait to get started. Speaking to the gaffer and Steven about the plans for next season it’s gonna be an exciting time at Workington.
“As I have seen the fan base is a passionate lot and I’m confident we can deliver that etra step for them and get into the NPL Premier Division.”
Manager Danny Grainger said he was delighted to have signed the forward and added: “He is a fantastic player and someone that wants to come and be part of the club and help us achieve our goals.
“We have fought-off strong competition for his signature which speaks highly of the club and what we are trying to do.”
In the space of the last 24 hours newly promoted Marine have lost both Reilly and the star whose hat-trick sunk Reds in the play-off, Neil Kengni who has joined Macclesfield, so could be around to torment Reds again.
He was Marine’s leading scorer last season and at the recent club presentation night took the Manager’s Trophy, the Players’ Player trophy and the top goal-scorer trophy.
North West Counties Premier League champions Macclesfield have announced they are going full-time next season.
