Holders Carlisle City reached the semi-final of the Fred Conway Cumberland Cup with a decisive 6-0 win over Windscale last night.
City’s progress in the competition was virtually decided in the final 15 minutes of the first half when the Wearside League side conceded three goals.
The Atoms had anticipated the way that City would be set up for the game and started well defensively, coping with any threats offered by the hosts despite their territorial advantage.
Windscale, themselves, set up a number of promising moves towards the City goal but were unable to set up any clear cut scoring opportunities.
The breakthrough for City came in the 31st minute through Tom Mahone.
Following the delivery of a low corner driven across the area, Mahone advanced forward unchallenged to drive the ball beyond Levi McAdam at the near post.
It was Mahone again who doubled City’s advantage two minutes later with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Trent Chapman notched a further goal a minute prior to the half-time whistle, leaving City with a 3-0 advantage at the break.
The Atoms performance improved at the start of the second half, passing the ball better and creating a couple of good chances which on another day would have reduced the arrears.
But City took control again 20 minutes into the second period, notching another three goals in a 12 minute spell.
Jordan Palmer made it 4-0 in the 64th minute; a deflection off a defender in a goalmouth scramble added another with the final goal of the game courtesy of Henry Walker.
City were undoubtedly the better side on the night and deserving of the win, the Atoms showing some signs during the game of how they can be better, however, not enough to affect the result on this occasion.
Windscale are at home to lowly Shotton Colliery on Saturday and will be hoping to make it two league wins in a row while Carlisle City hope to put two poor performances behind them when they resume their Northern League campaign at Thornaby.
Hear Windscale manager Stephen Fawcett’s verdict below:
And here is Dan Kirkup’s view of the match:
