Recap
Lewis Reilly scored his first goals in a Workington shirt, netting twice in each half to dent City’s recent winning run.
The former Marine front man, playing in an un-numbered shirt, left his mark on this worthwhile pre-season outing with goals after ten, sixteen, sixty-two and seventy-five minutes.
Reds were on the receiving end of a good centre forward display in their previous game when Carlisle United’s Ryan Edmondson effectively won the match in the first half and Reilly put City to the sword in similar fashion at a sultry Gillford Park.
Indeed, he might have chipped in with a double hat-trick as he also had a couple of goals disallowed for marginal offside decisions.
But this game wasn’t just about a centre forward with immense potential. It showcased some of the talented youngsters that have caught the eye this summer.
Bobby Carroll, Aidan Howarth, Jack Burns, Elliot Lowrie and the outstanding Keelan Leslie can all feel pleased with their contributions against a City outfit who also gave youth a fling.
Both Jim Nichols and Danny Grainger are not afraid to give a player a chance if he is good enough and both sides will benefit in the long run by introducing young talent as and when needed.
Stephen Townsley was the first ‘keeper in action, blocking a close range effort from Tom Mahone after Reuben Jerome’s wayward header had inadvertently set up the opportunity.
Grainger said afterwards that he was keen to add Mahone to his squad and the utility man had a hand in Reds opening goal. His forty yard cross field pass found Dav Symington wide on the right and his assist into the danger area was converted from close range by the alert Reilly.
His second, five minutes later, was also created out on the right – another Symington cross powerfully headed home at the near post with City giving Reilly all the time and space he needed.
The home-side, just as depleted as a makeshift Reds line-up, rarely troubled Jim Atkinson although the ‘keeper was needed to deal with a sweetly struck volley from Adam Gordon.
A free-kick from City ‘skipper, Josh Simpson, might have given the hosts a route back into game but he lifted the ball over the bar and the chance was gone.
Reilly thought he had completed his hat-trick just before the hour mark but an assistant referee’s flag intervened. He didn’t have long to wait, though, and finished well four minutes later to register his third, a good low finish after Ben Hughes had done all the spadework on the left.
His fourth, and best of the night, came a quarter of an hour from time with a free-kick from just outside the box leaving Townsley helpless.
Reds will face a more rigorous examination in their next game but plenty of positives to bank for the manager from this encounter.
Carlisle City: Townsley, Gordon, Hartley, Bowman, Watson, Atkinson S, Trialist, Simpson (captain), Williamson, Studholme, Kerr. Substitutes – Swailes, Makar, Johnstone, Hickey, Seggie
Workington: Atkinson J, Howarth, Clarke, Wordsworth (Tinnion, 46), Leslie, Carroll (Burns, 46), Symington, Mahone, Jerome (Hughes, 46), Reilly, Allison (Lowrie, 63). Substitute – Eccles (not used).
Referee: Scott Taylor, Carlisle
Attendance: 130
