Darren Edmondson says the Paul Simpson effect was clear to see in the way Carlisle United performed against his Penrith side.

The Northern League club’s boss says his old club’s work-rate in the pre-season friendly was testament to manager Simpson.

United won 5-1 after Edmondson’s Bonny Blues had briefly pegged back their EFL visitors to 1-1.

A young Penrith side featuring a number of trialists performed creditably against Simmo’s team.

READ MORE: In pictures: fans at Carlisle United's pre-season friendly against Penrith AFC

And ex-United favourite Edmondson said Carlisle showed Penrith respect in the serious way they approached the game.

“I think the game was typical from the way Simmo’s got them working hard, giving you no time on the ball,” Edmondson said.

“You could hear it – whenever we tried to pass, there were Carlisle players all over them, and that forced errors.

“It was good from our point of view that they gave us respect and a proper workout. From an attitude point of view, it was brilliant from Carlisle to do that.”

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After Ryan Edmondson shot United ahead, Andy Murray-Jones levelled for Penrith with a goal early in the second half.

But Carlisle were quickly back on top thanks to goals from Jordan Gibson, Nic Bollado and a Kristian Dennis brace.

“I wish we’d kept the score a bit lower but some of the finishes were excellent – they showed why their players have been in that division and in some cases above it,” Edmondson added.

READ MORE: What did we learn from Carlisle United's pre-season friendly against Penrith AFC?

“The goals were excellent. We got back level then a free-kick [from Gibson] goes in the top corner. That’s what you’re up against.

“I won’t criticise any of our players, I thought we were excellent, as best as we could perform.”

Edmondson took the helm at the Leo Group Stadium earlier this summer and his club were boosted by a 1,040 pre-season crowd on Friday night.

“That was fabulous – a good occasion for the football club, and good to get the coffers built up,” said the ex-Workington Reds and Barrow boss. “Cumbrian fans always follow their teams.”

Penrith now look ahead to another visit from Cumbrian EFL opposition in Barrow next Saturday.

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Edmondson added: “We’ve got some trialists in, and [Friday] was the first time we’ve met each other, so it was going to be difficult getting any fluidity into the game,” he said.

“But we had to see where people were physically, and try and get some match time into everybody.

“Some are disappointed they didn’t start against Carlisle but some are just returning from holidays and those are things you’ve got to look at.

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“Beforehand we talked about possession, the little triangles you can put together to keep possession, because we knew they’d work like mad to get it back off us, and you’ve got to work as hard off the ball as on it.

“There were some good spells where we produced one or two bits of play. From that point of view it was pleasing.

“We could have been a bit braver on the ball; if you give it away it doesn’t matter, if you’re doing the right things.

“It was difficult because some of them had just met each other for the first time, but it was a good workout for us.”