Whitehaven completed their preparations for the new West Lancashire League season with a 7-2 win over Cockermouth.
They were far too strong for the County League side and it puts them in good heart for the opening League game this Saturday at Poulton.
However, it’s been an up and down pre-season for the County Ground side, fielding a lot of players, blooding some youth, trying lads in unfamiliar roles, as well as trialling different systems and tactics.
Whitehaven have lost two experienced members of their squad during the summer – Owen Woodburn to League neighbours Cleator Moor Celtic and Kian Goulding to Carlisle City of the Northern League.
Whitehaven coach Chris Rourke said: “We were brilliant against Workington Reds and Crooklands but were punished by a very good Kendal side as we ran out of steam.
“We were very poor against Windscale but probably learned more from that loss than any other game in pre-season.
“We have our West Lancs opener on Saturday away to Poulton and we’ve had mixed results against them in the past.
“With it being a new season you are going into the unknown. You don’t know if teams have strengthened or have lost players, as a couple of players in that league can make a massive difference.
“That’s the position we find ourselves in after losing two experienced lads. Owen and Kian were part of the foundations we’ve laid since we took over and who have given us a lot of goals over the past few seasons.
“However we feel confident we can, not only manage that, but kick on and have a successful season with the players we’ve recruited, retained and re-signed.
“Players like Lewis Tidy and John Aiken, who return this season, are a couple of older heads with lots of experience at higher level that will be vital for us with such a young squad.
“We are also excited to see Robbie Swinburn, who was released from Carlisle United’s YTS, coming in this season. He is a lively centre forward with an eye for goal.
“We were also really pleased to secure the signing of Taylor Hambling who was courted by probably every team in Cumbria this summer. He’s had a great pre-season and hopefully can carry that in to the league.
“Add to that a few very talented youngsters in Gabe Lee, Luke Knowles and 16-year-old Keenan Mackay and we have players who will all get their chance throughout the coming season.”
