Workington Reds opened with a 2-0 defeat at Guiseley, after a low-key second-half effort had followed a more promising opening 45 minutes.
In the end Reds were undone by a brilliant free-kick and a well-taken second goal, but there was no denying that Guiseley had the stronger look about them.
Somewhat remarkably for an opening weekend, that 2-0 win is enough to put Guiseley top in the first NPL Premier Division table and leaves Reds bottom ahead of the mid-week matches.
It’s a particularly significant first home game for new Reds boss Mark Fell on Tuesday night as his old club Lancaster City are the first visitors – a club where he spent five years in charge.
But Fell insists it is not about him or Chris Willcock the City manager, but about the players.
The Dollyblues began the season with a 3-2 home win over Basford United thanks to a 95th minute winner from former Reds player Jamie Mellen.
Basford finished the game with nine men.
Much of the frustration of opening day for Fell had occurred beforehand when registration issues beyond his remit meant Reds weren’t able to use either defender Ben Fell (on loan from Gateshead) or midfielder Kaedyn Kamara, who had joined from Preston North End on a three-month loan deal.
Those issues should be sorted before Tuesday when both will be in line for NPL debuts at Borough Park.
In the game at Guiseley Kai Nugent had gone closest with a shot just past the post while Steven Swinglehurst just couldn’t properly get on the end of a corner beyond the far post.
A lively first-half, though, had produced a gem near the end of it for Guiseley’s Will Longbottom who drilled a free kick from just outside into the top corner.
Jordan Little was closest to giving Reds parity but just couldn’t get his head on a good cross into the box. Within a minute Guiseley had scored their second goal.
The points were sealed for the home side on 78 minutes with a well-taken goal from John Lufudu.
Manager Mark Fell has reflected on the game after watching a recording and gives his thoughts below:
