Whitehaven slipped to the foot of the West Lancashire League’s Premier Division after losing 6-1 at home to leaders Tempest United.
They are now below neighbours Cleator Moor Celtic on goal difference as they move into the second-half of the season.
The Bolton side are unbeaten so far and arrived at the County Ground at the end of an emotional week as they had lost their much respected chairman.
Alan Westhead had an association of more than 60 years with the Tempest club. He was a player, manager, committee member, secretary and chairman while his son Gary is still heavily involved in the club.
Mr Westhead, who was in his 80s, was awarded the Wilf Carr Club Loyalty Trophy at the league’s 2023/24 season presentation night in June.
They appeared extra determined to mark his passing with a fitting performance and they eventually got that with five second-half goals.
Whitehaven would have been pleased with their first-half display, grittily defensive but effective, and only breached by an 11th minute goal by Jordan Pendlebury.
But Tempest took over in the second half and goals from Aaron Thorpe (50), Pendlebury (53 and 75) to complete his hat-trick, Elliot Hailwood (76) and Tom Booth (81) carried them to a comprehensive victory.
Whitehaven had briefly interrupted the flow with a Dan Hill goal on the hour.
Now manager Carl Short turns his attention to tomorrow night’s Fred Conway County Cup game at Borough Park against Workington Reds, a game which he considers a free hit.
You can hear what Carl has to say about the Tempest game and the cup-tie with Reds by listening below:
