Workington Reds ended their pre-season programme with a 3-1 defeat at NPL West Division title fancies Clitheroe.
Reds boss Mark Fell feels Clitheroe would be good enough for a top-half finish in the Premier Division and will cause west sides lots of problems.
Workington were certainly better in the first-half than they were in the second and should have been in front at the break – after going behind.
Vernon Parny had given the home side the lead on 16 minutes with a fine finish, a cross shot from 20 yards which gave Alex Mitchell no chance.
On 22 minutes Reds could have been level. Tom Stephenson was brought down on a run into the box but from the penalty keeper Mason Walker went down smartly to make the save.
Reds were level on 39 minutes from a Brad Hubbold corner which went over keeper Walker and Steven Swinglehurst was behind him to nod home.
Reds initially did well in the second-half and Tom Wilkinson went close when he saw a header from a Kai Nugent corner come back off the post.
But gradually Clitheroe took over and Mitchell had to make a couple of smart saves until the hosts regained the lead on 75 minutes.
Sajjad Elhassan was put through on goal and did well to go round Mitchell and slide the ball home from a tight angle.
Eight minutes from time Clitheroe scored again after some sloppy Reds defending allowed Parry to extend the home lead.
You can hear Mark Fell’s considered view on reflection below:
