Ceiran Casson has returned to match action for Workington Reds with 55 minutes for the Development squad at Kirkby Stephen.
The midfielder has been struggling throughout the summer with an achilles problem and this was his first serious work-out.
Sam Smith should also have had a run-out as he has also been an absentee in the warm-up matches because of injury but was considered not quite ready to make an appearance.
Reds’ seniors play their final warm-up game this afternoon at Marske and manager Danny Grainger will be looking at potential cover in the centre of his defence as a consequence of Smith’s prolonged absence.
The Development squad won 3-0 against the Westmorland League side who had a familiar face helping from the sidelines.
Charlie Bowman was seriously injured in an accident with a falling tree at work during last season and still faces a lengthy programme of rehab. But the immensely popular forward is able to get involved with his local club and was warmly received by senior members of the Reds party.
The Development side, who start their County League programme in a fortnight’s time, missed several good opportunities to add to their tally and hit the woodwork three times during the course of the game.
Dan Whitehead scored the opener from the penalty spot after he had been brought down after ten minutes; Elliott Lowrie drove in the second a minute before the break and Josh Palmer swept in the third four minutes into the second half.
