Cleator Moor Celtic’s unbeaten run in the North West Counties League ended in startling fashion.
The hoops were thrashed at home 6-1 by Thornton Cleveley’s in the latest round of Premier League matches.
It was a rude awakening for manager Dene White, who has led Celtic since the start of the month following the departure of Brian Dawson.
White wasn’t happy and said: “The players themselves know that what happened was awful and not acceptable. We got destroyed by a decent side but we simply did not compete to the levels, I and we, expect from a senior Celtic side.
“We don’t have too long to sit and ponder this one as we have a massive challenge on Tuesday night away to our local rivals Whitehaven in the County Cup and anything like Saturday is unacceptable.
“It’s up to us now to put Saturday behind us and turn up Tuesday night.”
Cleveley’s had got off to a flying start with a goal from Stuart Dagger on two minutes and the same player doubled the lead after 18 minutes.
Lee Walmsley made it 3-0 on 25 minutes and at half-time it was looking ominous for the home side.
When Kieran Maguire pulled one back after 56 minutes there was brief hope for the West Cumbrians but a fourth goal from Danny Fryer on 67 minutes gave the momentum back to Cleveleys.
It got worse before the end as John Frazer (80) and Fryer (90) completed the romp for the visitors who lie second in the table.
