It’s been a worrying Bank Holiday weekend for Workington Reds with successive defeats in 48 hours.
Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Witton was followed by a 1-0 home reversal against Clitheroe and there was no doubt that the best side won.
It was not the response from Saturday that manager Danny Grainger was looking for as his side were second-best throughout.
He had made six changes from the Witton game but in both key aspects of the game – in and out of possession Reds weren’t good enough.
Grainger said: “That just wasn’t good enough and I want to apologise to the fans because that isn’t the way I want them to be playing.
“We seemed concerned about their press and were scared of making mistakes. It was so frustrating watching from the sidelines.”
Widely tipped to be challenging Macclesfield for a tilt at the title Reds find themselves fourth bottom of NPL West, and although it’s early days still, Grainger will want to see progress – and quickly.
The performances so far from his team have been nowhere near the standard’s his side regularly set in his first stint at the club and finding that intensity and desire to keep possession is clearly the priority.
Clitheroe dominated the game and Danny Eccles, handed the gloves again for a third successive start, made two excellent stops in the opening 20 minutes.
He went full length to turn away a fierce drive from full-back Bailey Sloane and then made a similar stop to keep out an effort from Max Cane.
Workington rarely threatened apart from late in the half when a Conor Tinnion corner flashed across goal without anyone able to get a telling touch.
The only goal when it came on 58 minutes followed Reds inability to effectively clear their box and when it was worked to Reece Webb-Foster just outside he thumped a fierce shot into the top corner giving Eccles no chance.
The lack of intensity about Reds’ play, and their inability to string three meaningful passes together, limited any fightback.
The one passage of slick, passing football from deep inside their own half created a chance for Dav Symington and it took a brave block from Cameron Lancaster to divert a goal-bound effort behind.
Then late in time added on there was a chance for Sam Smith but his effort was deflected behind for a fruitless.
Smith, playing his first game after injury with no pre-season action, was one of the few plus points for Grainger.
Reds now have a break from League football with a trip to South Shields on Saturday in the FA Cup when there will need to be a massive improvement to make a game of it.
