Workington Reds’ new striker Lewis Reilly scored all four goals in their win at Carlisle City last night.
Reilly could have even made it 6-0 as he had two goals disallowed for offside.
It was a very satisfying performance from Danny Grainger’s side, with the added bonus of a number of youngsters showing their undoubted promise.
But the 4-0 score-line wasn’t all doom and gloom for manager Jim Nichols, who had previously overseen three friendly victories.
There was a particularly good 20-minute spell just before half-time when City were close to opening their account.
Ellis Watson was close with a well-struck free-kick and Reds keeper Jim Atkinson saved well from Josh Simpson and a lively right-wing trialist.
Reilly had scored the two opening goals inside 14 minutes.
On eight minutes he had a simple tap-in after Reuben Jerome had helped-on a low cross from Dav Symington.
Then a glorious cross-field ball from Tom Mahone found Symington and his cross was headed over keeper Stephen Townsley by Reilly into the net.
Both sides made changes at half-time and once again, it was one of Reds substitutes Ben Hughes who again impressed with his pace and enthusiasm out wide.
It was Hughes who did well initially with a run past a defender and a low pull-back for Reilly to finish clinically into the bottom corner.
Reill scored the fourth after he had been pulled down outside the box. He got up and thumped the ball over the wall into the top corner.
A near-post header and another controlled finish from Reilly into the bottom corner were both ruled out for offside.
Grainger used two different formations and young Keelan Leslie starred in both with his composure, reading of the game and distribution.
For Carlisle City the trialist winger caught the eye with his trickery out wide and Nichols is hoping to be able to add him to his squad.
