Carlisle United breeze past Gretna 2008 as Owen Moxon stars and the Blues score a hatful.

Paul Simpson's Carlisle United were looking to build on their successful start to pre-season after recording a comeback 2-1 victory against Annan Athletic on Friday, July 7. 

In an attempt to extend his side's unbeaten start to pre-season, Simpson named strong sides in both halves, with a healthy mixture of first-team stars and young talent.

Dylan McGeouch was also handed his Carlisle United debut after completing his move to Brunton Park. 

The first half was largely dominated by the Blues, however, it was the hosts that made a bright start. 

Max Kilsby's back pass handed Gretna their first corner of the game which Carlisle just manage to scramble clear.

Owen Moxon also highlighted that he, once again, will be a key player for the Blues in the upcoming League One season, with the midfielder putting in a vintage performance in the first 45.

Moxon linked up with trialist Stephen Walker and Joe Garner flawlessly but these attacks came to nothing.

However, in the 22nd minute, Mox had the reward for his performance so far.

He plucked the ball out of the sky and swung it onto a plate for Joe Garner who made no mistake with the finish.

Moments later, the Blues had a couple of great chances to double their lead, with Huntington heading straight at the keeper from a Moxon corner and Stephen Walker saw his close-range prodded effort saved.

On 27 minutes, Carlisle did double their lead, and what an effort it was.

Jordan Gibson cushioned a falling ball onto his right foot and in one action moved and stroked the ball into the far corner from the edge of the box.

After doubling their lead, Simmo's side maintained their dominance with Moxon the star of the show and almost added a third.

In the 32nd minute, he picked up the ball in an advanced position and smashed it effortlessly goalwards, and saw his attempt cannon off the crossbar.

After this effort, Carlisle took control of the ball and made Gretna chase their shadows.

As the half looked to be drifting to a close, Carlisle struck again.

The move involved seamless play between Stephen Walker, Jack Armer, Owen Moxon, and goalscorer Jack Robinson who calmly slotted the ball under the advancing Gretna keeper from closer range.

This brought to an end a brilliant first half for the Blues, with their first eleven of the game clapped off the pitch by the traveling Brunton Park faithful.

In the second period, Carlisle's heavily rotated eleven looked to build on their predecessor's successes in the first 45.

And within 20 minutes of the restart, the second eleven had netted four with Alfie McCalmont, Romeo Park, Kai Nugent, and an unfortunate own goal extending the Blue's lead in a period where everything they touched turned to gold.

The Blues continued to knock on the door as the half progressed with Alfie McCalmont curling an effort onto a post from the edge of the area, whilst Jayden Harris saw a thunderous shot blocked well by a flying Gretna defender.

After this relentless flurry, the Blues settled into the second 45 and saw out the result in style, with the hosts never really having a sniff at goal.

Carlisle United: 

FIRST HALF: Tomas Holy, Jack Armer, Owen Moxon, Paul Huntington, Jordan Gibson, Joe Garner, Jack Ellis, Jack Robinson, Max Kilsby, Dylan McGeouch, A Trialist

SECOND HALF: A Trialist, Callum Guy, Ryan Edmondson, Alfie McCalmont, Romeo Park, Taylor Charters, Jayden Harris, Corey Whelan, Jon Mellish, Kai Nugent, Ben Barclay

SUBS: Jake Allan, Robbie Swinburn