It was mission accomplished for Workington Reds as they lifted the Cumberland Cup for the first time in seven years.

They beat Aspatria 4-1 at Brunton Park as manager Derek Townsley joined the list of people who have played in and managed a Cumberland Cup-winning team.

Townsley won it twice as a player, with Carlisle United as a youth and then for Workington under Tommy Cassidy in 2007.

“I am delighted that we have done what we set out to do because right at the start we said we were going to give it a good go in this competition,” said Townsley.

“I think we have played better, and full marks to Aspatria for the way they came back into the game. It was a good job we gave ourselves a cushion with two early goals.

“We seemed tired at times and lost our way a bit but, fortunately, we got going in the closing stages and two more goals saw us through,” he added.

“It’s a long, hard season and I thought it showed tonight, as it did on Saturday. But in the end we can say it’s been a good season.

“Despite being disrupted by injuries we made the play-off final and were four minutes away from taking it into extra-time. Then we have rounded it all off by winning the Cumberland Cup.

“We are already looking ahead to next season now and have been talking about the squad we will have at Borough Park for the start of the 2016/17 campaign.

“We already know we won’t have Kyle May next season and there may be two or three more players we lose. But we have identified three or four replacements and, if all goes well, we expect to be as competitive when we start next season.”

Reds can win another County Cup on Friday when their Ladies side play Carlisle United final at Gillford Park.