MATCH REPORT: From the Papa John's group game

The final Group A game of this season's Papa John's Trophy qualifying stage brought United together with Villa's under-21 side, with both teams knowing that progression was out of the question.

Manager Chris Beech rung the changes with just Omari Patrick and Gavin Reilly getting the nod as survivors from the weekend game.

Rhys Bennett and Micah Obiero made their first starts for the club, with Josh Dixon and first-year professional Tom Wilson back on the bench after long injury lay-offs.

First-year youth scholars Josh Barnett, Sam Fishburn and Max Kilsby had a night to remember as they found themselves amongst the named substitutes.

United started on the front-foot but a cross from Patrick was too high as Toure arrived late. The young Villains defended well as the hosts tried to poke a way through, and they tried to hit on the break as they pushed forward in numbers. Charlie Farr received a pass inside the area from ine such move and his shot from the angle hit the side netting.

Another quick visiting burst took Young into the area, and he managed to find space to cut the ball back. Raikhy was in support but he swung a boot at thin air as the chance drifted away.

A prolonged period of treatment for Connor Malley saw him limp to the sidelines, and that signalled a return for Josh Dixon, who had last taken to the field of play during the pre-season of 2019.

Striker Micah Obiero went close when Toure clipped a deep cross back into the mix. The forward was off-balance but he got a boot to it and Onodi was needed to make the save.

United had the ball in the back of the net when a teasing Dixon free kick eventually made its way to Charters. He finished it off, but the whistle had blown for an earlier infringement.

Trickery from Toure saw him open a gap, but it was quickly closed down and his shot deflected harmlessly away.

The returning Josh Dixon picked an excellent pass when he lurked on the edge of the box, but Armer had to stretch and he could only help it on its way behind the target.

Carlisle took the lead just after the half hour when a thumping Patrick header was parried by Onodi. Loanee Micah Obiero kept his cool as it came his way and he made sure his second touch, 10 yards out, left the keeper with no chance.

A 24-yard free kick from Toure needed to be tipped over as the home side continued to probe, and the same man dragged one wide from the angle as he crept forward again moments later.

There was a sigh of relief from Paul Appiah when a snapshot from Toure came off his thigh. Fortunately for him stopper Onodi was in the right place and he comfortably pulled it in.

Tyreik Wright swept a 28-yard free kick just wide at the other end, as the clock ticked into time added on, and Raikhy drilled an effort from distance past the upright as the away team looked to make a mark in the closing stages of the half.

United thought they'd doubled the lead within seconds of the restart when Devine went on a direct run. He picked out Obiero, and his cross was inch perfect for Toure to attack. His header from close range had Odoni beaten, but it bounced back off the bar and into the six-yard box. Reilly set himself to pull the trigger but it was taken off his toe just as he shaped to prod it into the empty net.

Charters pulled one wide when he shot on the run from the edge of the box, but the second goal was earned when a Dixon free kick from wide found Toure on the leap. Keeper Akos Onodi could do nothing as the header bounced off the surface and into the top corner.

The third for the Cumbrians was a superb individual effort from Gav Reilly. He robbed possession just inside his own half and set off on a sprint, with Appiah trailing in his wake. He looked up as he reached the penalty area and he left Onodi to flap at thin air as he slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Patient work from the Blues saw Toure and Bell slow things down as Armer came forward. His delivery found Reilly, but a block diverted his volley away. Dixon picked out Hunt from the corner, and a towering header from the centre back was going in until Onodi got a hand to it. Reilly swept the parry wide of the mark

Norman had to save from Seb Revan when he came into the box from a tight angle as the minutes ticked down, but the away side got their goal when Farr burst away into space. His cut back found substitute Harrison Sohna on the move and he slotted it into the bottom corner with the side of his boot.

Reilly had a snapshot saved at the other end, and a toe poke from Toure was two-handed away by Onodi as the hosts finished strongly.

Penalty appeals were dismissed when Obiero tumbled, but that was it for goalmouth action as United saw the game out, despite a late rally from the young Villa players.

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Goals

Carlisle United - Obiero (32), Toure (55), Reilly (68)

Aston Villa U21 - Sohna (82)

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Bookings

Carlisle United - Devine (38), Obiero (45)

Aston Villa U21 - Farr (24), Appiah (66)

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Teams

Carlisle United - Dewhurst (Norman 46), Devine, Hunt (c), Reilly, Patrick (Bell 56), Charters, Armer, Toure, Malley (Dixon 16), Obiero, Bennett. Subs - Wilson, Fishburn, Barnett, Kilsby.

Aston Villa U21 - Onodi, D Revan (c), C Rowe (Chrisene 61), Wright, Farr, S Revan, Appiah, Raikhy (Lindley 79), Young, Sylla (Sohna 70), Bogarde. Subs - Marshall (gk), Swinkels, E Rowe.

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Match officials

Referee - Marc Edwards
Assistant Referee 1 - Peter Gooch
Assistant Referee 2 - Barry Gordon
Fourth Official - Daniel Woodward

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Attendance - BCD

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