Carlisle City returned to Northern League action after a two-week break with a 6-2 win at Horden.
There was a first start after a long injury absence for Brandon Longcake, while Jordan Irving returned up front, against a Horden side that had only lost once at home and had demolished Durham City 8-1 in midweek.
It was a cautious start from both sides and City’s first attempt on seven minutes was created by Irving who found Holt, but his effort was easily saved by Griffith.
Home keeper Griffith was tested by Longcake in the 14th minute and Palmer fired over from a free-kick three minutes later.
A defensive mix-up between Kirkup and Murray almost brought disaster for City but the ball luckily just trickled wide. City then responded with Palmer’s cross finding Irving but his header was saved by Griffith.
Palmer and Irving again combined on 21 minutes but the home defence cleared the danger, and a powerful strike from Longcake then just cleared the home bar.
City took the lead in the 29th minute as Irving was in the right place to score from close range, and City quickly added a second as Griffith’s poor clearance was punished by a fine bending shot from Longcake, for his second goal of the season.
It could have been worse for the home side as Holt found Palmer in space but Griffith made a good save.
Right after the break, City wasted a fine opportunity as Irving sent Palmer racing clear but he blazed his shot over.
On 50 minutes, an excellent corner from Palmer was met by the head of Kirkup who was repelled by a fine save from Griffith, who also parried the rebound. However, on 52 minutes, the home side came very close when Maskell’s effort was inches wide.
The first yellow card of the game was given to Holt before a change in the 56th minute saw Kerr replace Longcake. Three minutes later, it was 3-0 to City as Holt confidently fired his shot past Griffith.
It was slightly less comfortable for City eight minutes later as substitute Doughty fired past Murray to bring it back to 3-1.
City then restored their three-goal advantage in the 69th minute as Irving was brought down in the box, and took the penalty himself to make the score 4-1.
Another City change saw Studholme replace Palmer and the substitute was soon involved as his pass found Irving who once again was fouled inside the home penalty box, and his confident penalty earned him a hat-trick and his 11th goal of the season.
In the 75th minute, Holt was replaced by Allison before drama in the 77th minute saw Moon’s shot hit the City post before Kerr then raced the length of the field only to be foiled by a fine save from Griffith.
Horden were close on 80 minutes as Moon’s header hit the bar but City were awarded their third penalty on 84 minutes as Seggie’s pass freed Kerr and he was clipped by a defender inside the area.
A change of penalty-taker saw Kerr convert to put City 6-1 ahead. Incredibly, another strong penalty appeal was denied after an obvious home hand ball but Horden gained a consolation as Dobinson made it 6-2 near the end.
