No one inside the ground expected to watch the side crash 3-0 to Bamber Bridge in the opening game of the campaign.
The performance was as disappointing as the result and manager Jim Vince acknowledged that after the game.
The good thing is that they get a quick chance to put things right when they travel to Trafford for their first away game this evening.
Vince made it clear to his players after the weekend's game that he would not put up with another performance like Saturday's.
His big problem will be that he has not had a training session between games in which to reinforce his post match thoughts.
That is not to say that the message will not have got through.
Watching the players troop out of the changing room after the defeat, you could see how much it hurt.
And the hope is that it was just a one-off - for whatever reason.
Skipper Steve Payne did not believe it was borne out of complacency.
If it was, there will be none tonight.
Perhaps it was the occasion that got to the team.
There was a big crowd inside the Shay with expectations to match the size.
That is something, should they be successful, they will have to get used to.
Even at Trafford this evening they are likely to have more support than the home side whose average crowd last season as they won the North West Counties League by nine clear points was just 130.
Trafford opened their campaign at the weekend with a useful 1-1 draw at Chorley after taking the lead through Scott Barlow.
And they will be keen to build on that good start.
Town will take their second game of the season lightly at their peril.

BOOKINGS are being taken for the supporters' bus to Lancaster City on Saturday on 07707 143094. The cost will be £13 and transport leaves the Shay at noon.