Carlisle City emerged deserved winners in their Cumberland Cup tie against holders Workington to become the first team into the last four of the competition.
They won 3-1 in a game they probably had control of from start to finish.
Delighted manager Dan Kirkup, one of many in the City ranks with strong links to Workington, saw his team establish a two-goal advantage by half time.
They were then pegged back when the Northern Premier League outfit reduced the arrears but netted a third to win with a bit to spare.
“I am absolutely delighted with the performance, beating a strong Workington side in a competition we want to win,” said the City boss.
“I was hoping for an easy night and intended playing some of our younger players but they fielded a strong side which made our victory even better. We were aggressive from the start and I don’t think they matched that.
“We looked so good going forward and it is the type of performance I have been looking for all season. The challenge after a good win against Boro Rangers, was to back it up with an equally good performance against Workington and we certainly did that.”
City skipper Josh Simpson, headed the Sky Blues in front via Keelan Leslie’s corner in the 17th minute and they increased their lead when Reds’ keeper Danny Eccles allowed a weak Callum Birdsall shot to trickle between his legs with half an hour on the clock.
Workington’s Kai Nugent and Lucas Wane both saw shots rattle the crossbar in the 35th minute before City were denied what looked a clear penalty when Reds’ debutant, Joe Abrahart tangled with Jordan Irving inside the area.
Ruben Grewal’s fine strike midway through the second period suggested Workington might stage a recovery but City nipped that in the bud with a scrappy third goal soon after. Kieron Blair deflected the ball home at the far post following more suspect defending from the West Cumbrians.
Mark Fell started just five of the team that performed so well in their weekend win over Matlock but introduced three ‘first teamers’ at the start of the second half but, by then, City had a foothold and were in no mood to surrender.
Reds’ manager, Fell, apologised for the performance to the Workington fans and even suggested he would reimburse their admission money if they approached him at Whitby on Saturday!
And the final comment came from Kirkup: “We have knocked out the two ‘big boys’ in the competition, Carlisle United and Workington, and our hope now is to win the cup.”
