It’s six down and one to go in Workington Reds build up to the new season.
And results wise it has been progress all the way for Darren Edmondson’s men – a loss to start, followed by two draws and now three successive victories.
The biggest was last night at the County Ground where Reds beat Whitehaven 5-0 in their annual contest for the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy.
It was a close first half when Reds, seeing plenty of the ball, dominated possession and territory but the West Lancashire League side defended well and on a couple of occasions could have done better on sharp break-outs.
The only goal of the first half came on 15 minutes when skipper Dav Symington rifled one home from just outside the box.
The best goal of the game came five minutes into the second half and it was another good strike from trialist Sharif Deans.
He had shown at Heaton Stannington he has a good left foot and this was another top finish, arrowing a shot from the right across the keeper into the top corner.
When Steve Swinglehurst forced home a left wing corner for the third goal it was virtually over as a contest.
Fitness and extra quality from the Reds saw the comfortable winners in the end as there were further goals from Charlie Barnes (67), following a brilliant save by Whitehaven’ second half keeper Aaron Carter, and Romeo Park (71).
Whitehaven start their League season on Saturday with a trip to Coppull, who finished bottom last season but were reprieved from relegation.
Reds have one more friendly to go at home to a Carlisle United youth team on Saturday.
You can hear Darren Edmondson’s thoughts below:
This is what Jon Karl Benson said after the match:
