MATCH REPORT: Windscale Reserves 3-8 Workington Development

Josh Palmer blasted The Atoms almost single-handedly, scoring a magnificent seven at the Falcon Complex in a pre-season encounter.

He scored the first seven goals in Reds’ high-scoring win at Egremont with Kieran McKay joining him on the scoresheet just before the end.

Remarkably, Reds found themselves two goals down with just five minutes on the clock but Palmer’s hat-trick before half time turned the game in Workington’s favour.

The visitors, made up of 18s and 23s personnel, were inattentive at the start and Kieran Frazer and Bobby Fitpatrick scored to give Windscale a dream start.

But sluggish Reds got into their stride and started to dominate.

Palmer continued his brilliant contribution scoring four more after the break and completed his second hat-trick via the penalty spot.

Josh Palmer

Substitute McKay scored an eighth for Reds, to break the Palmer mastery, as the goals continued to flow.

Windscale, who must have fancied their chances of causing an upset after such an explosive start, concluded the scoring with the eleventh goal of the evening, through Kieran Lawson but, by then, their pride was severely dented.

Reds don’t start their Lancashire League U23 campaign until the first week in September.