Workington Reds 3, Halesowen Town 1

A SUPERB first half performance set Workington Reds up to record a clear-cut opening day victory over visitors Halesowen Town.

Reds were quick out of the blocks and were 3-0 up after just 20 minutes, signalling their intent from the off.

Anthony Wright marshalled his side well, putting in a strong performance as Reds looked to rack up the goals.

Their opponents came back in the second half, and looked more dangerous as they tried to fight their way back into the game but Reds always looked to be on top of it.

But then a lone goal in the latter stages went to the visitors, although there was some controversy as keeper Aaran Taylor believed he had been fouled.

However in the end all that mattered was the scoreline and that showed in Reds favour to give them confidence ahead of their trip to Marine on Tuesday night.

Workington got off to the perfect start as David Symington put in a corner from the right hand side and Josh Calvert rose up to head it back into the centre.

And it was Jack Ryan who met the ball and headed it into the top corner to break the deadlock.

Shortly after it was 2-0 as Anthony Wright flicked the ball on for Scott Allison and he made no mistake shooting across the face of the goal and into the net.

But Halesowen nearly struck back at the opposite end of the field as James Spray turned in space with just Aaran Taylor to beat but his effort just went into the side netting.

There were chances at both ends as Luke Shearer hit the post at one end before Ryan's effort just whistled wide at the opposite end of the field.

And then the score was 3-0 as Sam Smith capitalised on Halesowen's inability to clear the ball in the area. He was quick to react in the scramble and he poked the ball home.

Just after the half hour mark, Calvert had to track back quickly to try and halt the run of Shearer who had broke down the right flank.

He slid in for the tackle but pulled Shearer down and was handed a yellow card for his troubles.

Allison fought hard and slipped the ball into the box looking for Sam Joel but a great interception saved the visitors' blushes.

Halesowen did look dangerous on the attack though and non more so than Shearer and he had another effort that had to be tipped over the bar by Taylor.

The final act of the first half saw Nathan Walker yellow carded by the ref seconds before he blew the whistle with Reds in a commanding lead.

The second half was only a couple of minutes old when Asa Charlton found himself in the referee's book, receiving a yellow card for a foul on Sam Joel.

Jack Ryan pushed a shot at the keeper who just got down to it before Allison could get a touch and Ryan then made way for Nathan Waterston.

Jack Kelly looked to try and get his side back in the game as he whipped in a corner but Taylor was alert and came out to defuse the danger.

Waterston had a couple of chances but he couldn't react quickly enough to the ball played into his path just moments after he entered the fray.

Then Symington put in a good free kick after he was fouled by Kelly but Waterston's header sailed high over the bar.

Calvert was called on to produce a great bit of defending when Spray was put down the middle channel and he cleared well.

But, with nine minutes to go, Halesowen pulled a goal back as Shearer put a shot in on goal and, as Aaran Taylor came out to clear he claimed he was fouled but the ball just clipped his glove and went into the goal and the referee gave the goal.

The visitors threw everything at Workington in the final minutes but Reds battoned down the hatches.

Roland Aebor tried a shot on the turn from close range but it was straight at Taylor and the keeper made no mistake.

Waterston had the final chance of the afternoon as the clock ran down but Charlton just stepped in to defuse the danger for Halesowen and the game finished 3-1 in Reds favour.

Reds: Taylor, Simpson, Smith, Wordsworth, Calvert, Wright, Symington, Wilson, Ryan, Joel, Allison. Subs (not used): Waterston, Earl, Douglas, Mellen, McDonald.

Goals: Ryan 2, Allison 8, Smith 20.

Yellow cards: Calvert 31.

Halesowen: Platt, Alexander, Kelly, Walker, Lewis, Charlton, Howell, Bragoli, Shearer, Chilton, Spray. Subs (not used): Morrison, Clarke, Mellors-Blair, Steele, Aebor.

Goals: Shearer 81.

Yellow cards: Walker 45+1, Charlton 47,

Half time: 3-0.

Referee: R Holmes.

Crowd: 638.