Workington Reds crashed to their heaviest defeat under the management of Danny Grainger when they lost 6-1 at NPL Premier Division leaders Ilkeston.
It was a painful reminder of how tough the step up from last season is going to be for the Cumbrians.
The season had started a week earlier with an impressive 5-0 home win over Ashton United but since then Reds have lost two away games on an aggregate 9-1 score-line while Ashton have won both their follow-up fixtures.
Ilkeston have started the season impressively with three straight wins and thirteen goals scored in the process.
They were certainly sharper, slicker and consequently more dangerous than a Reds side who were second best for long periods.
The Robins hadn’t taken long to show what they were about when Jamie Walker headed the hosts ahead in a crowded six yard box on five minutes.
Two early attempts from Dav Symington were blocked and Ilkeston were close to a second when Nathan Tyson, forced wide by Jim Atkinson, struck the post with his angled shot.
It was no real surprise when Ilkeston doubled their lead on 24 minutes when Ross Barrows was given too much time and from 25 yards thumped a shot past Atkinson.
Ilkeston could have scored a third when Tyson went through only for Atkinson to save well but from the rebound Jack Tolley should have scored but could only hit a post.
Reds were given a lifeline right on half-time when Aidy Roxburgh drove into the penalty area and fired home a great shot on the run.
The interval gave time for Reds to regroup and they started the second-half well, probably enjoying their best spell of the game. Twice in the first five minutes Symington had shots blocked by the keeper’s legs.
The next goal was going to be crucial but unfortunately it went to Ilkeston. On 58 minutes a quick counter attack from the home side saw Jordan Hallam slide the ball past Atkinson.
Three minutes later it was all over when Declan Eratt-Thompson scored Ilkeston’s fourth and from then on it was damage limitation or a question of how many!
The answer was two more – from Tyson on 80 minutes and from Walker in the second minute of time added on.
Reds have a tough follow-up on Tuesday night when they entertain Radcliffe, who like Ilkeston have won all three games so far.
