Carlisle United ended their pre-season programme with a 2-1 home win over Stockport County and in a week’s time it will get serious at Gillingham.
Manager Paul Simpson hadn’t been happy with defeats at Non-League Rochdale and Gateshead, but this would have put him in a better frame of mind.
The firstr-half was dominated by the Blues and they deserved their 1-0 lead at half-time, and although not as dominant in the second half there was no doubt they were well worth their victory.
New signing Dan Adu-Adjei took only 30 seconds to test the Stockport keeper Ben Hinchliffe who had to turn away a snap low shot.
Cameron Harper, another summer recruit, was a constant source of ammunition down the left and both Josh Vela, and Adu-Adjei had shots saved by Hinchliffe.
It was no surprise when Carlisle took the lead on 28 minutes when Adu-Adjei got a chance at the back post and he was able to hook home powerfully.
Five minutes into the second-half Stockport were level. An excellent run byJack Diamond – who, earlier in the year, had turned out 16 times for Carlisle on loan – fed Kyle Wootton, and the County skipper’s first-time shot fizzed past Harry Lewis to put the Hatters back on terms.
United again took control for a while and Jon Mellish almost celebrated a new contract but saw a strong shot come back off the post.
But Stockport responded well and Lewis had to make a series of good saves to keep the sides on level terms.
On 68 minutes, though, the Blues hit the front again. Ben Barclay’s long throw found Luke Armstrong at the back post and he was able to complete the job.
Lewis was called into action on two occasions in quick succession in the final ten minutes, denying Che Gardner and in a frantic Stockport finish it needed a fine block from Ben Barclay to keep United in front.
Carlisle United – Lewis, Davies (86’ Ellis), Harper, Thomas, Hayden, Wyke (65’ Kelly), Adu-Adjei (46’ Armstrong), Vela (76’ Butterworth), Neal, McGeouch (18’ Barclay), Mellish.
Unused subs – Breeze, Smith, Lavelle, Allan.
