Clitheroe 0 Workington 2
Blues suffer first defeat as Workington extend 100 per cent record to go top
The Blues saw their unbeaten start to the season come to an end as title favourites Workington left a vibrant Shawbridge with the points.
A superb Bank Holiday crowd of 675 saw the Cumbrians extend their 100 per cent record with quality strikes in each half from David Symington.
The Blues were in the hunt as they pressed for a leveller with just one goal in it.
But Symington’s fine finish 11 minutes from the end secured the points for Workington, who leapfrogged Clitheroe at the top of the NPL West Division.
Workington were denied likely promotion two seasons ago when the 2019/20 campaign was curtailed by the pandemic and were set to be in the shake-up again last season.
And they have set their stall out again this term with a fourth straight win to start the season.
They dominated early on against the Blues, who were grateful to Chris Thompson for a number of fine saves to keep them in the contest.
But the Clitheroe keeper had been powerless to stop Symington giving Workington an early lead when the former Carlisle United and Barrow midfielder curled in a superb free-kick.
With the Reds unable to find a second goal, Clitheroe rallied impressively to enjoy excellent spells either side of half time.
Midfielders Richie Baker and Ross Dent, along with frontman Sefton Gonzales, all went close.
And after the break, Baker also saw an effort blocked before substitute Taylor Brickell was unlucky to see an overhead kick bounce just wide.
The Blues also felt they had a number of strong shouts for a penalty, notably when Gonzales appeared to be felled in the box.
But with the hosts’ pressure failing to pay off, Workington secured the points when Symington rifled an angled drive into the top corner to confirm a first defeat in six games under Billy Priestley and Gary Stopforth for the Blues, who will be looking to bounce back in the FA Cup at City of Liverpool next Saturday.
Clitheroe: Thompson; Stopforth (Mills 85) Burke, Priestley, Lonsdale; Edwards (Gaul 70), Dent, Baker, Connelly (Brickell 65); Wilkins; Gonzales. Substitutes: Chalaska, Hodds.
Attendance: 675