Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson has praised beaten opponents Whitehaven Miners Social in this week’s Fred Conway Cup semi-final.
United advanced to the final with a clear-cut 13-0 win at Brunton Park but Simpson felt the West Cumbrians had played their part.
Talking to the official club website Simpson said: “To be honest, both sides were really respectful because I’ve been involved in those games when it’s that type of score and it becomes a bit of a kicking match and you’re running the risk of getting players injured.
“I thought Whitehaven were really respectful of it, I thought our players went about it in the right way.
“Nobody likes to be involved in a game where it’s 13-0, it’s not right, but the players went about it in the right way, they did the right things, they got the physical side out of it, they got the football side out of it.
“I’ll admit it wasn’t a game which stretched them, but we wanted to treat the competition properly and we’ve got through to the final and we’ll deal with that when it comes round.
“It was one of those work-outs that we needed to do and the players will have got something from it, even if it’s a confidence booster of sticking the ball in the back of the net.
“They’ve done really well to get to the semi-final and I’m sure when the draw was made, they looked at it and thought this is not what we need, especially when we’ve got so many players who needed to play.
“They’re Carlisle United fans a lot of the Whitehaven lads. I spoke to a few of them, to their Chairman and Directors and I just thought it was right to sort of congratulate them for getting this far.
“I know this isn’t the draw they would’ve wanted, but just to thank them for being respectful.
“Regardless of the result, I think they enjoyed the experience and I think it was maybe a little bit of an eye-opener. I think people sometimes do forget that there is a difference between the non-league level and first team player level.
“I’m sure they got a bit of an education in that and hopefully they’ll understand the difference in the levels and the way that the players went about it here.”
