Penrith opened their account in the Northern League First Division with an excellent 3-0 win at Heaton Stannington.
All the goals came in the first-half, while the hosts had defender Jordan Watson sent off after only six minutes – by which time Penrith had already taken the lead.
There had been encouragement in a 2-0 opening day defeat at Whitley Bay when Penrith had travelled with 10 senior players unavailable.
New manager Darren Edmondson, recovered from COVID to take his place in the dug out, was delighted to get off the mark for the season.
“I think it’s given everyone a lift, especially after what happened last season. Hopefully it will change the mind-set and the players that whipping-boys tag that seemed to apply then.
“We made such a bright start, on the front foot and had the tonic of an early goal.
“Then they had a man sent-off. He was the last man and brought down Gary Richardson, which gave the referee a decision to make. I think it was the right decision to give a red card.
“We were 3-0 up at half-time, and although they changed to being more direct in the second-half and gave us more to think about, we were still dangerous ourselves and could have had more goals.
“Luke Hunter hit the bar and the keeper made a great save to deny Jamie Armstrong and I don’t think anyone could have argued if it had finished 5-0,” said Edmondson.
Armstrong had given Penrith the lead on four minutes when he just got ahead of the keeper to turn in a fiercely driven cross from Lamin Cham.
It was Armstrong who added the second on 21 minutes, finishing well after good build-up play involving skipper Adam Main and Hunter.
Then right on half-time Richardson added the third when he was on the spot to slot the ball home from close range.
Edmondson had praise for Richardson, who has just joined Penrith this season and that was his first goal for the club.
The manager said: “I think he’s played most of his football locally in Carlisle and he just came down one night to train with our reserves. He’s a big lad with a good touch and I got him in with the first team squad and he played a couple of friendlies.
“I’m pleased with him, and getting a goal will help his confidence. The only problem was he had to come off with an ankle injury and he might be doubtful for the FA Cup game on Saturday against West Allotment Celtic.”
