Recap

Danny Grainger was well satisfied with this dominant performance in the north east after his makeshift side put the Northern Leaguers to the sword.

It has to be pointed out that the hosts also had numerous absentees so read into the result what you will.

Regardless of personnel, available or otherwise, Reds started well and looked in the mood – winning the ball back quickly when out of possession and using it effectively and efficiently going forward.

On a pristine, damp playing surface the movement and passing created chance after chance and beleaguered Bay, who start their season proper next Saturday, were mightily relieved to hear the final whistle.

It took Reds twenty-eight minutes to register the first goal but, prior to Conor Tinnion’s opener, Lewis Reilly had sent two identical efforts narrowly over the bar, Kofi Moore had a shot blocked, Steven Rigg had a goal disallowed for a handling offence whilst Sam Smith (header) and Aidy Roxburgh (shot) saw their efforts scrambled away by a very busy home ‘keeper, Dan Lister.

Tinnion scored the first of several well taken goals with a calm composed finish.  He pinched possession mid-way in Bay’s half, advanced on goal and passed the ball beyond Lister into the bottom corner of the net.

They doubled the advantage with another fine effort after thirty-five minutes.  Kofi Moore collected the ball out wide after Lister lost possession and he patiently rolled the ball into Bobby Carroll’s path.  His low shot found the net via the foot of the post.

Nick Gray’s side, who had rarely been in Workington’s half, reduced the arrears in the thirty-eighth minute.  Noah Millington’s cross from the left was bundled over the line by Lewis Suddick whose grandfather (Alan) and father (Jarrod) both enjoyed spells at Borough Park.

Any suggestions of the hosts staging a comeback were quickly dispelled as Reilly restored Workington’s two goal advantage with the goal of the match – a sublime angled chip which sailed over the ‘keeper and went in off the upright.

Reds’ trialist goalkeeper hadn’t really been tested but his distribution was good throughout.

Kofi Moore certainly enjoyed his afternoon and got the goal he deserved eight minutes after the restart.  Receiving the ball from Reilly, his first attempt was well saved by Lister but, when recycled, he drove his second shot home for Reds’ fourth.

And it was his low cross from the left, just past the hour mark, which forced a fifth goal for the visitors – an unfortunate own-goal from Elliott Day, the Bay left back.

The sixth and final goal was another accomplished finish.  Rigg went charging down the right and his cross was collected by Kofi Moore who, in turn, found Reds Trialist 2.  The midfielder, who had squandered two chances in the first half, made sure with his third attempt as an accurate low shot came to rest in the bottom corner of the net.

By then, Reds had introduced a raft of substitutes yet the west Cumbrians continued to move the ball about as Bay, with limited options from the bench, visibly tired.

Reds will return to the north east for their two final friendlies and should have more of their senior players available.

Whitley Bay: Lister, Cartwright, Day, Turnbull, Scorgie, Trialist A, Suddick, Richardson, Davison, Gilchrist, Millington.  Substitutes – Trialist B, Trialist C (both used).

Workington: Trialist 1, Wallbank, Roxburgh, Rigg, Smith, Hubbold, Kofi Moore, Carroll, Reilly, Trialist 2, Tinnion.  Substitutes – Martin, Leslie, Lewis Moore, Tait, Trialist 3, Mugalula (all used).

Referee: Charlie Ford

Attendance: 169