Cumbria’s three Northern League sides are back in action tonight – all looking for their first win of the new season.
Carlisle City and Penrith have home matches after their opening draws on Saturday while Kendal, beaten at home to start their campaign, are on the road.
City and Penrith were pleased with their hard-earned point on Saturday as their respective opposition are both among the fancied clubs.
Following on from the visit of Shildon (0-0), City have another home game tonight with Northallerton providing the opposition.
Last season they finished 15th, three places above their hosts, and they started promisingly on Saturday with a 4-1 home win over Crook Town.
Once again, new assistant manager Mark Boyd will be in charge with boss Dan Kirkup on a family holiday.
Well pleased with Saturday’s opening performance, Skip expects a positive follow up and will have Sam Smith and Liam Lightfoot available after they were absentees against Shildon.
Penrith have Birtley Town as visitors to Frenchfield with the visitors still looking to open their account. They lost 2-1 at home to Thornaby on Saturday after holding a 1-0 lead at the break.
Jim Nichols was pleased with the 2-2 draw at West Auckland on Saturday, even though it was disappointing to lose a 2-0 lead by conceding twice in the last 15 minutes.
He has a young squad to work with and although that inexperience might have contributed to the late lapses, he feels there’s enough talent among them to make an impression over the season.
It’s a quick turnaround, too, as the Bonnyblues travel to Pickering on Friday night for their FA Cup assignment.
Kendal travel to Marske Utd, who are also looking for their first point after losing their opener 2-1 at West Allotment Celtic. Marske scored their goal two minutes from the end.
New Mintcakes manager Matt Flynn was actually undone by late goals at home to Newcastle Benfield as the visitors scored in the 88th and 95th minutes to win 3-1.
Even so Flynn thought there were plenty of positives to be taken from the game and is looking forward to putting it right at Marske.
- There’s a friendly, but with a trophy at stake, in West Cumbria, as Whitehaven host Workington Reds at the County Ground. They are contesting the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy. He supported both clubs and was a respected official.
