Whitehaven paid the price for a sloppy start at Haslingden St Mary’s where they lost 4-0 in the West Lancashire League’s Premier Division.
They are level on points with bottom side and West Cumbrian neighbours Cleator Moor Celtic but have a slightly better goal difference.
A difficult journey down didn’t help but they were 3-0 behind after 37 minutes and very much chasing the game.
Haslingden, potentially a top six side, get the ball forward quickly and they caused a few aerial problems for Whitehaven.
Michael White put them ahead after 18 minutes and five minutes later Charlie Ridge doubled the St Mary’s lead.
Whitehaven might have thought they had stemmed the flow but on 37 minutes Jack Cain knocked in a third for the hosts.
Whitehaven were more in the game after the break, and did create opportunities but couldn’t give themselves a foothold.
The only further goal came from the home side as Will Wystawincha added a fourth for St Mary’s in the last minute.
You can hear what manager Carl Short thought of the Whitehaven performance by listening below:
