Reds’ Reserves obtained their first Lancashire League win of the season at the expense of last seasons West Division strugglers, Burscough.

Steve Lee’s side were in control throughout and could have won by a bigger margin had they not squandered so many chances.

They had to overcome the early loss of Gareth Brunton who was stretchered off after twenty-five minutes after sustaining an ankle injury. 

He was taken to West Cumberland Hospital by ambulance but returned to the ground afterwards and confirmed that his ankle was badly sprained and not as seriously injured as first thought.

Reds opened the scoring after 36 minutes with a delightful goal.  Dan Gullen did particularly well on the right before finding Adam Main on the edge of the box and his well struck shot found the bottom corner of the net with Burscough’ keeper Michael Christopher helpless.

Burscough should have been ahead before that when Sean Cowdall was thwarted by a good save from Reds’ debutant ‘keeper Lee Jolly but when the rebound fell conveniently for George Mboa he blasted the ball high over the gaping goal.

George Close and Barry Armfield should have increased the advantage for Reds before the interval but lacked composure when presented with gilt-edged opportunities in front of goal.

That welcome first win was assured on the hour when Lee McCullough netted a fine goal from a well placed free-kick just outside the area.

Armfield wasted two good chances before the end which would have put the gloss on a decent performance.

The game, played in good spirit for over an hour, became rather feisty in the later stages and some of the Reds players have to question their discipline with McCullough, Armfield and Levi Johnson picking up needless bookings when the points were already in the bag.

Burscough finished with ten men when Tom Short was sent-off after being shown two yellow cards – the second for foolishly kicking the ball away after conceding a free-kick.

Reds travel to Stockport on Saturday for their first away game at Woodley Sports (3pm).