Cleator Moor Celtic crashed to a 6-1 defeat at Steeton in their opening game in the North West Counties League.
They were 4-1 down at half time as the Keighley side produced what their supporters described as “their best performance for a long time.”
It was unfortunate that Celtic were on the receiving end as their new-look side will take time to adjust.
Omar Anjum scored twice inside 25 minutes before Callum Birdsall gave Celtic hope by pulling one back after 34 minutes.
But in a disastrous spell just before half-time Celtic conceded two more in as many minutes through Luke Baldwin and Andrew Briggs.
Celtic needed to score first in the second-half but they couldn’t find a way through and it was Briggs who went on to compete a hat-trick with goals in the 60th and 76th minutes.
New Celtic boss Brian Dawson readily admitted to be disappointed by the defeat.
He said: “The goals were mainly individual errors and could have been avoided but I’m sure that the players will learn from that.
“Of course we, as a coaching team, will also learn from it too. I don’t think there’s any doubt that we went unto the season knowing it was going to be one of transition.
“We’ve lost a large group of players from last season who had the necessary experience and know-how to compete at this level.
“They have been replaced by good players but what they haven’t got is experience of the North West Counties League.
“There will be a few bumps on the road, and we expect that, but it’s only one game and it’s a long season ahead.
“We have players to come back in and we just need to start getting some points on the board which will then give us the confidence to start pushing on.”
Celtic resume their programme on Tuesday night with a home game against League newcomers Euxton Villa.
They had gone 3-0 up inside an hour at Bacup Borough and held-off a late rally to take the points with a 3-2 win.
Holker Old Boys took an early lead at Chadderton through veteran striker Jason Walker before the hosts levelled four minutes later.
Ex-Workington forward Sam Joel restored the Holker lead three minutes after the break but Chadderton won 3-2 with goals in the 71st and 85th minutes.
Holker, who lost in the play-off final last season, continue their League programme on Saturday away to Daisy Hill.
