The resumption of County League fixtures after the Christmas break did not go entirely to plan.
Four of the scheduled games were postponed due to waterlogged pitches with a further match called-off due to COVID-19 issues.
Despite these, two Premier Division fixtures went ahead as planned, and resulted in victories for Aspatria and Maryport Athletic.
Aspatria entertained a young Carlisle City Development team at St Mungo’s Park and, on a heavy pitch, enhanced their championship chances by earning another three points with an 8-2 win.
The home side were 2-0 ahead after 25 minutes with goals from Malcolm Graham and Dan Pearson.
City reduced the deficit through Nathan Johnston to leave them trailing 2-1 at the break. They were then awarded a penalty shortly after the restart which was converted by Alex Cairns to bring them level.
The home team responded with three quick goals to exert their influence on the game, with Graham adding two to complete his hat trick and Darryl Creighton also on target.
To their credit City’s youngsters continued to make chances, trailing 5-2 but unfortunately were unable to convert any of these and get back into the game.
Darryl Creighton added a further two goals for Aspatria to complete his hat trick before Harry Creighton scored his first goal in senior football to take the home tally to eight.
Maryport Athletic hosted Gosforth and it was the visitors who started the better of the two teams. They applied pressure from the kick-off, particularly from set pieces but couldn’t make the break-through.
As a result Maryport grew into the game and after 22 minutes took the lead with a strike from Josh Pattinson and held that slender advantage until the interval.
Maryport increased their advantage in the 55th minute when Pattinson struck again, notching his and Maryport’s second goal.
Ethan Weir made it 3-0 and they quickly scored again when awarded a penalty which was converted to complete his hat trick.
Both teams made several substitutions after this and it was Gosforth who benefitted most from the change of personnel.
Andrew Bulman reduced the arrears from a set-piece and narrowed the deficit to 4-2 following a break away.
Athletic’s nerves were settled when a goal late in the game from Joe Phillipson confirmed the points for Maryport, running out 5-2 winners.
