Penrith will welcome the chance to play at home for the first time on Tuesday when they host Bransty Rangers in the Fred Conway Cumberland Cup.
They have had to play all their games away from home so far this season in the Northern League while Frenchfield was being laid with a new artificial surface.
“It will be good to get some home games at last after so long playing away, although we still have an away fixture in the League next Saturday,” said manager Darren Edmondson.
The lack of home fixtures, along with having an unsettled side through weekly changes, has made it a tough start for the Cumbrians with only one win so far. But two teams – Sunderland RCA and Northallerton – sit below them without a win to their names.
The Bonny Blues went down 2-1 at Birtley in the League yesterday, which completed a tough week for Edmondson’s men.
Edmondson said: “We lost to two late goals at Ryton and Crawcrook in the FA Vase and then got a spanking at Shildon in mid-week in the League.
“The home side were very complimentary about us after the Vase game but we lost 3-2 to goals in the 92nd and 93rd minutes – both from set pieces when they got their big defenders forward.
“That was one that got away but at Shildon there were no complaints. It was 6-0 and they were the best side I’ve seen since I’ve been involved in the Northern League. If they keep this team together they will win the League.
“At Birtley yesterday there were a number of positives but this time we lost to an 83rd minute goal after Luke Hunter had put us level early in the second half.
“But hopefully we will be in a better position to start picking up points when we get a run of home games on our new surface.
“We are looking forward to entertaining Bransty Rangers from the County League on Tuesday and will show them every respect.”
