Workington Reds have a 4-0 half time lead over rivals Whitehaven Amateurs in tonight's Cumberland Cup encounter at Borough Park.

The first goal came after just 10 minutes as Rob Wilson put in a high cross for Matty Douglas to rise up and meet and put into the back of the net.

Sam Joel had a good run into the box but Adam Johnson proved up to the task as his tackle halted the move.

And then Whitehaven provided some pressure of their own as a good shot from Kevin Holliday had to be blocked by Joseph Hetherington and went out for a corner which the home side dealt with.

Lamin Cham was making his long awaited return from an injury he picked up in the pre-season friendly against Whitehaven.

But it did not last long as he limped from the field after just 20 minutes of the game had gone, to be replaced by Cam Harker.

Tinnion looked to cross into the box for the waiting Joel on the line but somehow the attacker missed the shot and Whitehaven breathed a sigh of relief.

Joel looked to make up for it moments later as he bore down on the Whitehaven keeper Stuart Pettitt but he came out strongly to defuse the danger with a crucial block.

Joel tried to repay the favour to Tinnion as he looped a cross in but Tinnion's shot was held by the keeper.

The newly re-signed Phil McLuckie was called on to clear a shot off the line but Reds immediately went back on the attack and this time they got their reward.

Sam Joel nipped past the Whitehaven keeper and slotted the ball home for Reds' second.

Whitehaven looked to find a way back into the game and Tom Fowler in the Reds goal had to come out and save at the feet of Ryan Smith, looking to get on the end of a lovely long ball from Nathan Dryden.

But it was Reds who got their third of the night as Joel again took on the defence and the keeper and coolly slotted home for the second time.

Matty Douglas was then called on to save with a diving header away from his own line as Whitehaven pressed again but to no avail.

The last word of the half went to Workington as Joel looked to get through to face the keeper once more but was brought down by Johnson.

The referee pointed to the spot and Joel stepped up to duly dispatch the penalty into the back of the net and clinch his hat-trick and give his side a 4-0 half time lead.