A youthful United XI secured passage into round two of the Cumberland Cup following a dominant display on Wednesday night.
After making his first team debut in recent weeks, Dan Hopper skippered a side made up of first and second-year scholars, whilst some players from younger age groups were also present on the bench.
Other familiar names in the squad included Hayden Atkinson, Freddie O’Donoghue and Seb Mason, who also made their senior bows recently.
The aforementioned attacker, O’Donoghue, came flying out of the traps, netting the opening goal inside just 10 seconds.
Following the 17-year-old’s opener, the Blues looked to take control of proceedings by getting plenty of touches on the ball and therefore asserting their dominance in terms of possession.
Carlisle’s next opportunity would come ten minutes later after a Workington corner. The ball fell outside the area to a United man, who found O’Donoghue, the youngster strided forward with the ball rapidly but before pulling the trigger inside the opposition’s box, a back-tracking Workington man showcased a superb piece of defending.
It would be their goalkeeper who would be called into action next, making a fine save to deny Hopper’s powerful drive from close range.
On 32 minutes, the Cumbrians should’ve almost certainly added their second of the evening. The ball landed at the feet of left-sided defender Jamie Hodgson, who rifled an attempt way over the crossbar.
Mark Birch’s side showed brilliant unity and fight to keep Casey Sillitoe’s clean sheet intact, and they entered the break with the advantage.
HALF-TIME: United 1-0 Workington Juniors
The Blues started the second-half like they ended the first - having plenty of possession and looking to force an opening for their second goal.
Their hard work would be rewarded on 55 minutes as Trent Chapman blasted home from inside the area. United’s second came following some patient play around the Workington area after an initial corner from Jonah Lowes.
Four minutes later, the visitors came extremely close to pulling one back. The ball fell to a Workington man inside the Blues’ box after a scramble, but it was hit off target to the relief of Sillitoe and his defence.
Lowes, who controlled the tempo in the centre of the park throughout, looked to add a third with 17 minutes left to play. However, the creative midfielder’s free-kick was claimed by the Workington ‘keeper at his near post.
On 80 minutes, Seb Mason would make way in Carlisle’s only change of the night, and was replaced by midfielder, Tai Bell.
In the time which remained, United were happy to stick with what they had, creating very little in the closing stages, but most importantly picking up a clean sheet alongside their place in round two of the competition.
FULL-TIME: United 2-0 Workington Juniors
Teams:
Carlisle United - Sillitoe, Chapman, Hodgson, Rigby, Porter, Atkinson, Lambert, Hopper ©, O’Donoghue, Lowes, Mason (80’ Bell)
Unused subs - Randall, Matthews, Edgar, Comp
Goals:
Carlisle United - (1’ O’Donoghue), (55’ Chapman)
