Carlisle City got a sharp lesson in the art of clinical finishing last night when they were beaten 6-1 at home by Marske United.
For although City saw enough of the ball, and had their opportunities, they could only convert one chance – in the lasty minute by Josh Simpson.
Before then Marske – who started last season in the NPL Premier Division, two levels higher than the Northern League – had taken just about every chance that presented itself.
It started as early as the 4th minute with the opening goal from Kyran Clark who went on to complete a hat-trick with further goals in the 66th and 68th minutes.
James Sayer (36_) and McCorrie Carmichael (41) had helped the visitors into a 3-0 half time lead.
Before Clark completed his hat-trick Joel White was on target in the 63rd minute which saw City concede three times inside six minutes.
City will feel they will play worse and win in the coming months, but manager Dan Kirkup will have to come back from a pre-booked family holiday, needing to lift his players after three successive defeats – two in the League and one in the FA Cup.
eter Allison, a City coach said: “There’s not a great deal to say about it but it was a really disappointing performance, and defensive errors were ruthlessly punished by a clinical Marske side.
“At this level you can’t afford to make the mistakes that we did and ultimately we got what we deserved.
“Dan will be back for Saturday when we go to Northallerton, and then we are away again on Tuesday night to Kendal. That’s five out of the first six on the road to start the season which is pretty tough.”
Meanwhile fellow Northern League neighbours Penrith are in action tonight in the League when they travel to North Shields who have opened the season with two draws.
Darren Edmondson’s team will be without a couple of Saturday’s winning FA Cup squad because of injury but will be bidding to win and go joint top.
The third Cumbrian side now contesting the Northern League, Kendal Town, are involved in FA Cup replay action when they travel to Guisborough Town following Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Parkside Road.
The winners will be at home to Newcastle Benfield in the next round.
As a result of the FA Cup replay the Mintcakes’ trip to Crook Town (originally scheduled for tonight) has been rearranged. They will now travel to Crook on Wednesday, October 2.
