The floodgates opened just before the half-hour mark as Kofi Moore put the visitors ahead. Matty Bell and Conor Tinnion added goals two and three in the final five minutes before the half-time break.

If the game wasn't already sealed, David Symington added a fourth for Workington with 12 minutes to go, before Keelan Leslie added the final blow on 84 minutes to seal a 5-0 defeat for Dunston.

Workington, who play in the division above, began to settle into the encounter after an opening ten minutes where Dunston looked comfortable. The first warning sign came on 13 minutes when Dan Wordsworth put the ball in the net for the visitors, only for it to be flagged for offside.

The Reds began to push for the opener with David Symington dictating the play, as the midfield man came close to breaking the deadlock on two occasions midway through the first half.

The best chance of the half for Dunston fell on 28 minutes for Dale Pearson as the striker broke forwards down the right, but his effort hit the side netting. Despite the glimmer of hope from that opportunity, Workington took the lead just seconds later as Kofi Moore scored on the counterattack, slotting the ball past Dan Staples.

The second goal for Workington came on 41 minutes. Dan Staples produced a miraculous diving save however, the follow-up on the rebound was not dealt with and the lead was doubled. 

Two became three in quick succession as the ball fell to an unmarked Conor Tinnion on the edge of the box, and he was able to guide the ball into the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time.

A change at half-time for Dunston saw Jordan Lamb introduced to the action in place of Chris McDonald. The half-time break looked to had done Dunston the world of good as they came out with intent at the beginning of the second half.

Skipper Michael Pearson sent an effort over the bar after a corner routine, before Dale Pearson was played through on goal only to be stopped by a brilliant diving save from Jim Atkinson.

Jon McDonald made further changes as Jack Elliott and Jack Walker were brought on in place of Terry Galbraith and Sado Djalo. Again, Dunston looked to change the complexion of the game and claw a goal back as the ball fell to Lamb at the back-post, but his effort was well wide of the target. 

David Robinson was next to test his luck as the ball fell to midfield man after a cross from Elliott, but the effort was volleyed wide.

With the game reaching it's climax, Symington added a fourth for the visitors in spectacular fashion. A free-kick was struck perfectly into the top left corner, leaving Staples with no chance. Just seven minutes later, and only with five minutes to go, Leslie added the fifth for the visitors. Another goal from outside the box.

Dunston conjured up one final opportunity as Dale Pearson was once again denied by Atkinson from close-range before the full-time whistle.

With pre-season concluded, all attention turns to next Saturday as we host Bridlington in the opening game of the 2023-24 Northern Premier League East season.

Report by Callum Pattison

Image credit - BeautyTime Photography