Workington Reds take a journey into the unknown tomorrow when they play their first-ever game against Basford United.

Basford (population 16,207) is a northern suburb of Nottingham, which means an early start for the west Cumbrians.

The football club, originally formed in 1900, has been on the up over the last eight years, culminating in them winning the Northern Premier League Division One South title last season.

Basford have started the season at a higher level in promising fashion and ahead of tomorrow’s clash with the Reds sit fifth, the final play-off position.

But they have played more games (10) than anyone else in the Evo-Stik Premier and are just seven points ahead of Workington who have two games in hand.

The Nottinghamshire side slipped to a 3-1 defeat on Tuesday at Stafford Rangers and, so far this league season, are one of only three sides in the competition who have yet to draw a game.

They look set to include a new face against the Reds as Boston United defender Cieron Keane has linked-up with them on dual registration.

The 22-year-old full-back, who joined the Pilgrims from Alfreton Town at the end of August and has featured twice as a substitute to date, has moved to Greenwich Avenue in pursuit of regular football.

The Pilgrims will retain Keane’s National League registration so can be recalled at any given time.

Workington striker Max Brown has returned to Carlisle United after completing a month’s loan but they still have Kieron Olsen and Jordan Holt.

Olsen has a couple of week’s left on his agreed month’s loan while Holt is just into the start of his second month.

Meanwhile, several of the younger players who have been part of the first-team squad this season were involved for the reserves in midweek when they beat a team of American students, based in Leeds, and competing in the Lancashire League as RIASA Fusion.

It finished 4-0 to the Reds with Nathan Dryden scoring twice – one a 35-yard belter – and he also laid one on for Sheldon Mossop. The other was a bizarre own goal.