Penrith and Carlisle City both made impressive starts to the Northern League season.

The opening day saw the Cumbrian clubs claim victory in their respective games.

Darren Edmondson's Penrith defeated Birtley Town 3-0 with an emphatic showing at the Leo Group Stadium.

And Dan Kirkup guided City to a 2-0 win at Tow Law Town in his first competitive game in charge.

It was a less successful start in Division One for Kendal Town, though, as they went down 4-0 at Redcar Athletic.

Penrith got things under way in style as they swept aside a Birtley side who finished fourth in the league last season.

Luke Brown put the Bonny Blues ahead with a close-range finish and DJ Taylor doubled their lead before half-time.

Penrith keeper Craig Hunter then saved a Birtley penalty to keep the hosts' two-goal lead intact.

And then former Carlisle United youth winger Taylor doubled his tally with Penrith's third goal to wrap up the points.

Edmondson's side finished the game with ten men after Ronan Irving was shown a straight red card for bringing down an opposition forward.

But they saw their victory through to get the 2024/25 campaign off to a strong start.

City, meanwhile, brought three points back from the north east in their first league game under new boss Kirkup.

Jim Nichols' successor saw ex-Carlisle United youngster Jay Kelly fire them into a 19th-minute lead.

And Callum Birsdsall struck in the 80th minute to seal the points.

United youth defender Josh O'Brien made the first competitive appearance of his City loan spell as Kirkup's side began with a clean sheet.

Kendal, meanwhile, had a less successful start as their first Northern League game following their switch from the North West Counties League saw a heavy defeat.

Mark Anderson, Bradley Fewster (two) and Jack Blackford were on target for Redcar against Jimmy Marshall's south Cumbrians.

In pre-season friendly action, meanwhile, Workington Reds' new signing Jamie Allen got off the mark with the only goal as Mark Fell's side won 1-0 at Ashington.