Penrith’s good run in the Northern League ended last night with a 5-1 defeat in Middlesbrough against Boro Rangers.
But manager Darren Edmondson admitted their preparation “had been a shambles” for a difficult mid-week test.
“Some of our players didn’t get there until 15 minutes before kick-off which certainly didn’t help. Our two centre backs and centre midfield were changed from Saturday, too.
“I don’t know why this fixture was put on in mid-week when we both don’t have a game on Saturday.
“Boro are a strong, physical side and after they scored early on and soon added to it the game was really gone.
“It was 4-0 at half-time and although we did a lot better in the second-half it was too late to affect the result.
“We just have to dust ourselves down, prepare well and look to the next game which is at Heaton Stannington a week on Saturday,” said Edmondson.
Callum Hickman hammered a spectacular strike into the top corner after three minutes and before half-time there were further Boro goals from Stuart Rose (18, 40) and Matthew Lovatt (23).
DJ Taylor pulled one back for Penrith in a better second-half for the Cumbrians but the hosts had the final word with a goal from Ben Turner nine minutes from time.
