Our young Blues endured a tough afternoon against Morecambe in the Central League Cup.
United fielded a full squad of youth team players, managed by Mark Birch and Jamie Devitt. Our opponents opted to field a much more experienced side, with the majority all being first team players.
On four minutes, Marcus Dackers opened the scoring after he found space in the box, before finishing low down to Sillitoe’s left hand side.
After that, United settled down; with some very neat play from Jonah Lowes especially.
The Blues had a great change to equalise after some sharp passing gave Freddie O’Donoghue a sight of goal; but his shot was smartly saved.
On 17 minutes, it was two. The powerful Dackers broke through the back line and squared for Lewis, who tapped in to an empty net.
Just shy of the half hour mark, a long ball allowed Dackers in, he was dragged down by Porter inside the area and a penalty was given. Dackers then converted the penalty to make it 3-0.
On 35 minutes, Morecambe got in down the right through Lewis, he squared for Dackers and his scuffed finish ended up wrong footing Sillitoe; 4-0 to the visitors.
On 40 minutes, Morecambe sent a ball over the top which got Lewis in on the angle, he fired across goal for Macadam who squeezed it in at the back post.
Morecambe picked up where they left off, netting early into the second-half.
In the 51st minute, a ball in from the right was met by a thunderous half-volley from Lewis, which gave Sillitoe no chance.
Morecambe brought on further experience at the break, with Hallam Hope and Jordan Slew joining proceedings.
It was Hope who added the seventh on 59 minutes, as he finished calmly from 6 yards after he was picked out in the box by a low cut back.
Following the seventh, the game slowed down and got very scrappy.
A few tempers frayed. Murray and Songo’o clashed in the centre of the park. Following that flashpoint, Jordan Slew appeared to raise his hands to Tai Bell who went down under the contact.
The referee either missed the incident or deemed no foul play.
After this, Murray was then cautioned for a firm challenge on Slew.
Morecambe did add an eight on 85 minutes. Songo’o broke free, and rounded Sillitoe who caught him.
Hallam Hope stepped up and converted the penalty for his second of the afternoon.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle 0-8 Morecambe
Teams:
Carlisle United: Sillitoe, Rigby (Rafferty 72’, Hodgson, Skinner (Bell, 55’), Fleming, Porter, Murray ©, Lowes, O’Donoghue (Smith, 63’), Fitzpatrick (Lambert, 55’), Hopper.
Morecambe: Burgoyne, Millen, Tutonda (Slew, 45’), Songo’o ©, Taylor, Harrack, Brown (Macadam, 25’), Jones (White, 63’), Dackers (Hope, 45’), P. Lewis, A. Lewis (Stott, 45’).
Goals:
Morecambe: (4’, 17’, 35’ Dackers), (25’ A. Lewis), (40’ Macadam), (51’ P. Lewis), (59’, 85’ Hope).
Yellow cards:
Carlisle United: (80’ Murray)
