Carlisle United No2 reacts to reserve win over Blackpool

The Blues’ second string defeated Blackpool 3-2 in their latest reserve outing.

Two goals from Terry Ablade and one from Dan Butterworth were the highlights of the Central League Cup victory at Penrith.

It was a brighter outing after some previous reserve showings had been blasted by boss Paul Simpson.

Assistant boss Skelton was encouraged by the display against Blackpool’s development side and said: “The outcome is really pleasing, we created lots of chances and there were some really good performances right through.

“A lot of lads got 90 minutes which we always say is a basis.

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“Sometimes we’ve spoken about negatives coming out of these games, but here we can speak about positives.”

United fielded eight senior pros along with three youth team players in the game on the new artificial pitch at Penrith.

It was another chance to impress for many of the side who had been heavily criticised by Simpson after last Tuesday’s EFL Trophy defeat to Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s.

“It does hurt them, getting beat, not performing as they can,” added Skelton.

“That’s why, when you take a kick there, you enjoy this – it’s something to build on.

“It shows what they can do. It’s just doing it on a consistent level.”

Butterworth impressed in the first half and fired United ahead before two quickfire Ablade goals early in the second half put Carlisle further in front.

Blackpool hit back twice late on but Carlisle’s overall efforts were praised by Skelton.

He added: “These games are about minutes in the legs but we made a point at the start of saying the most important thing was for us to win the game.

Dan Butterworth hit United's opener in a bright first half showing (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“We got in front and you could see players’ confidence growing from that – that’s where you get confidence, from winning games.

“There are still things like managing the game – at 3-0 up we maybe got a little bit excited, and made it more difficult than perhaps we needed to.

“But overall it was pleasing. The senior lads drove it, about winning and how to win. We didn’t want to play it as a testimonial or a friendly – we wanted it to be competitive.

“We talked about playing in their half, which we did early, we didn’t give them any encouragement and wanted them to stop playing out, which we did, and had a bit of joy from that. We tried to approach it in a really correct manner.

• Match report on Carlisle's reserve win over Blackpool

“We spoke about getting the ball in their half. With the first team players who have come from a good level, it was a case of getting it up to them, see what they can do, and be solid at the back – and we did that.

“We tried to ask questions of their defence. They might say they had a few opportunities as well, and we did too, which was from some real positive play in their final third.”

Skelton was also pleased with the displays of the three youth team players who started the game, with Will Maddison, Jake Allen and Aran Fitzpatrick all involved.

“I thought all three did credit to themselves,” added the coach.

“Sometimes in reserve games it’s hard for senior pros – it used to be a reserve league where you played every Wednesday whereas now it’s more development games, which doesn’t give it the right spin in terms of competitive edge as it should.

“Sometimes when the young lads play, it’s a big opportunity for them, and they did very well. We had a strong back four platform, and the two young lads in midfield[Allan and Fitzpatrick] gave us a strong base in the middle of the pitch which allowed our front four to go and cause problems.

“I thought they worked hard out of possession at times, I always want them to work harder but some of the attacking play was really good.”

Skelton said United enjoyed playing on the “great” new surface at Penrith and, all in all, it was a better afternoon of second string action. He added: “Some of the other [reserve] fixtures, you look back at the Blackburn game and that team went to Harrogate and won 7-0.

“Sometimes you have to give respect to the opposition – Middlesbrough, Blackburn, even Wigan, were strong teams, even though we weren’t at it [against them].

“This one was a really competitive fixture, thankfully we’ve come out on the right side of it. I’ve told them to enjoy the feeling of winning and playing well.”