We spoke to Dan Butterworth following our pre-season opener in Penrith on Friday night.
Speaking after the game, he said: “It was good exercise, everyone got 45 minutes. I thought the lads did it right, worked hard, and then got the rewards of getting the goals. I'm happy to get two goals.”
Butterworth netted a brace in the first friendly ahead of our ‘24/25 Sky Bet League Two campaign.
Talking about his goals, Dan said: ”It was a free kick. I just thought if I hit it well enough and it goes over the wall, it has a chance of going in. So, yeah, it did.
“I back myself taking them like anything.”
“My second goal, It was just a bit scruffy I think, around the edge of the area, and the ball just dropped to me. I saw the keeper was on one side, so then I just managed to put it in the other one.”
Dan featured in the first-half of a game which saw two separate elevens be named - one for each half. This provided the chance to get minutes into the legs of almost everybody, including some youngsters.
“I think lads have worked really hard this week,” he added.
“It’s been quite a tough week, you know, every day, double sessions, and just getting that intensity back into our legs.
“I think everyone did really well.”
Young duo Freddie O’Donoghue and Sam Hetherington capped off a fine outing with a goal each in the latter stages of the second-half.
Speaking on the pair, Butts said: “They've been with us all week, and both scored really good goals tonight, so they just need to continue it.”
The Blues’ pre-season campaign got underway with just over 1,000 spectators in attendance at Frenchfield Park.
“I mean, lads were just saying, it's a really well-supported club. Playing Penrith away now, and there's like 1,000 of them. It just goes to show how well-supported we are.”
When asked if he’s looking forward to Tuesday night’s trip to Kendal Town, he said: “Like I say, I just want to get more goals under my belt.
“I probably should have had more tonight, if I'm being honest, but still happy to get the two. So, yeah, just keep working on it and building.”
The 2024/25 away kit - which is available to purchase in-store and online now - made its debut in Friday’s encounter.
When asked his thoughts on our new away threads, Butterworth said: “I quite like it to be fair, yeah. It's a bit different, a bit like the fruit salad one last year, but no, it's a nice design.”
Finally, looking ahead to our clash with Kendal, Dan said: “Just come down, watch us play, continue supporting us and just keep getting behind the lads like they always do.”
