Dan Adu-Adjei and Luke Armstrong found the net as United secured victory in their final pre-season friendly.
Adu-Adjei opened the scoring by hooking a deep cross home beyond the reach of Ben Hinchliffe, before Kyle Wootton levelled proceedings five minutes into the second-half, prior to Luke Armstrong netting the winner following a long throw from Ben Barclay.
On their return to Brunton Park, the Blues started the strongest. New addition Adu-Adjei was straight into the action in the first 30 seconds, seeing a low shot turned away by the Stockport ‘keeper.
Cameron Harper created a plethora of chances in the opening exchanges - he was a constant threat down the left throughout the game.
The hosts grew in confidence as the minutes went on. Josh Vela, and Adu-Adjei once again, saw shots saved by Hinchliffe.
On 26 minutes, Carlisle had the lead they deserved. The ball fell to the feet of Adu-Adjei at the back post, who hooked home to break the deadlock on his debut.
Harrison Neal tried his luck soon after, shooting from distance after Hinchliffe’s clearance was pressured by Vela, but his attempt landed well wide.
HALF-TIME: United 1-0 Stockport
Stockport restored parity five minutes into the second-half. After catching the hosts on the break, the ball fell to Kyle Wootton, who found the net from close range.
Following the visitors’ goal, United upped their levels once again, with Mellish seeing an effort from distance crash against the post, before having another shot saved moments later.
Harry Lewis made a number of strong saves in the period which followed, preventing the Hatters from taking the lead.
And on 68 minutes, the Blues were back in front. Ben Barclay’s long throw found its way to Luke Armstrong at the back post, who made no mistake to restore United’s advantage.
Lewis was called into action on two occasions in quick succession in the final ten minutes, denying Che Gardner.
Stockport pushed to level the game in the closing stages. Their final chance came on 88 minutes, but Barclay made a superb block to keep our lead intact.
FULL-TIME: United 2-1 Stockport
Teams:
Carlisle United - Lewis, Davies (86’ Ellis), Harper, Thomas, Hayden, Wyke © (65’ Kelly), Adu-Adjei (46’ Armstrong), Vela (76’ Butterworth), Neal, McGeouch (18’ Barclay), Mellish
Unused subs - Breeze, Smith, Lavelle, Allan
Stockport County - Hinchliffe, Mingi (54’ Trialist C), Touray, Trialist A (65’ Mapengu), Trialist B (65’ Watson), Diamond, Camps (71’ C. Johnson), Fevrier, Bailey, Wootton ©, Barry (71’ Gardner)
Unused subs - Metcalfe, Lawless, H. Johnson
Match officials:
Referee - Simon Mather
Assistant Referee - Joe Simpson
Assistant Referee - Kevin Mulraine
Fourth Official - Scott Taylor
Attendance:
1,880 (121 away)
