Workington Reds defender Jake Simpson says his side must aim for a winning start when their season gets underway tomorrow.

Derek Townsley’s side travel to Rushall Olympic for their Northern Premier League opener.

Their last league fixture was the heartbreaking play-off final defeat against Salford in April which crushed their promotion dream.

But Simpson believes his side are more than capable of getting off to a perfect start.

He said: “It’s important. Everyone up and down the country wants to get that first win under their belt.

“It’s not the be all and end all if we don’t win on Saturday, but the first three points is the one we look for.

“It’s back to reality of work. Every week we know it will be physical and that we’ll have to work hard.

“Rushall will be hungry and we don’t expect anything easy. We’ll have to be right on our game from minute one of the season.”

The squad trained last night ahead of the game.

Defenders Anthony Wright and Gari Rowntree will miss the start of the season due to injury.

Reds had a mixed bag of results during pre-season with injuries, holidays and work commitments playing their part.

Simpson added: “Rushall is one of the longer journeys that we’re getting out of the way while the weather’s good so we don’t end up doing a two hour journey and see the game postponed due to bad weather.

“A win is always nice as it settles nerves, but we won’t be screwed up whatever happens.

“We know we’ve got an equally good or better as last season. Whatever happens we will stay positive whatever way it goes.”

Kick off at Dales Lane is at 3pm.

Reds’ league rivals Ilkeston have been suspended from all footballing activity for breaching league rules. The suspension could impact on the Derbyshire side’s opening league matches.