Workington Reds’ vice-captain Brad Carroll labelled the team spirit in the league leaders’ side “phenomenal” after they secured their first win of 2020.

Birthday boy Carroll marked turning 23 with a first-half goal at Colne on Saturday, setting his team off on the way to a comfortable 3-0 win in atrocious conditions.

The victory was the reaction manager Danny Grainger was looking for from his players after two disappointing results to start the new year and Carroll felt there was a similar sentiment among the squad.

Speaking to the club’s website, Carroll said: “It was brilliant; you can see the reaction of the lads.

“After two disappointing results when you think you should’ve got six points, to come here – and it’s a difficult place to come – and play how we did, it was fantastic from the lads.

“The team spirit in the dressing room is just phenomenal.

“The lads are all round each other and training’s bouncing.”

Carroll has shown his quality during the first half of the season but has been frustrated by injury, with a lengthy spell on the sidelines disrupting his playing time.

Now back in the team and back in form, the former Clitheroe and Kendal Town midfielder is eyeing NPL North West Division title and believes they must treat every game ahead of them as a “massive” one if they are to lift the trophy.

“It’s good to get a full 90 minutes into my legs and to get a goal was really the cherry on top of the cake but the main thing is three points and we go again next week,” he said.

“To be honest, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing – bottom or top of the table – every game is just as big.

“If we’re going to win the league, we’re going to have to come to places like this and win against them.”

Meanwhile, the club is putting together a team to work on day-to-day issues and the future of Borough Park.

Stadium director Les Byers, who is one of the club’s representatives on Allerdale council’s Sports Village Project Board, said: “This is an extremely positive move by the club.

“A fit-for-purpose stadium solution must be the ultimate consideration for the local authority, both clubs and the wider community.