Penrith ended an eventful 2023 with a fine 2-1 home win over Whitley Bay in the Northern League.
It prompted manager Darren Edmonson to suggest a brighter year – and long-term future – lay in store.
He said after the game: “It wouldn’t be Penrith if there wasn’t inconsistency but I can see signs of us getting where we want to be.
“That’s five unbeaten at home in a row and as we played a lot of games away in the first two months we have a lot of games coming up at Frenchfield in January and February.
“We are getting together a group of young players, mainly from the local area, who want to learn and improve. They listen to the staff and enjoy playing together.
“Players were brought in from the Westmorland League and they have done well so a lot of progress is being made.
“Of course our newly laid pitch has helped us play the football we want to. It isn’t always easy to adapt but we are doing that and played some really good stuff against Whitley Bay.
“To be fair both sides played the game the right way, which made the win even more satisfying.
“Conor Hammell, coming in from Workington, has made a difference with a bit of class and composure on the ball and he scored a cracking goal.
“We played Robbie Hebson a bit further forward in midfield and he also scored from a super long-range hit.
“The only disappointment was the late goal we conceded. They were pushing men forward to try and get back into the game and we didn’t handle the numbers in our box.”
Hammell had opened the scoring on 31 minutes and Hebson doubled the advantage just after the hour mark.
Mark Davison pulled one back in the third minute of time added on but Penrith held on for three deserved points.
