Workington Reds expect to be able to name their new manager this week – with six games left to complete their NPL Premier Division season.
Danny Grainger is leaving at the end of the campaign and he wasn’t happy with what he saw from his side in Saturday’s 4-2 defeat at Gainsborough Trinity.
“It was men against boys in the first-half when we lost the game. That’s the first time I’ve felt embarrassed about the team I coach,” he said.
Reds had trailed 3-0 at half-time, and although they did peg their hosts back to 3-2, a fourth goal sealed it for Trinity and allowed them to complete a League double.
Workington’s first-half defending had been naïve and sloppy, with Trinity taking advantage – and they could have almost doubled their lead in a torrid 45 minutes for the Cumbrians.
Inn a dreadful start Reds were 2-0 down in 15 minutes as Declan Howe took advantyage of some poor marking to scpore the opener and then raced clear to lift the ball over Jim Atkinson for the second.
Reds started to dominate possession but they created few opportunities and the only further goal came from Trinity after more sluggish defending. This time it was Fraser Preston who went on to beat Atkinson.
The second half was much better for Reds who continued to knock the ball around well and they tightened-up defensively – and two goals saw them back in with a shout.
Scott Allison bagged the first on 59 minutes with a cracking finish and then Dav Symington cracked one home ten minutes from the end.
But Reds conceded again minutes later when Bailey Conway fired in the decisive fourth goal.
Workington’s directors have been seeking a replacement since Grainger announced he was not going to extend his contract and are almost in a position to announce his successor.
