Billy Barr welcomed Charlie Wyke’s return to the scoresheet for Carlisle United in his second pre-season outing.
The Blues striker opened his account in his second spell at the club with two goals in Tuesday night’s 3-0 win at Kendal Town.
The second-half efforts were Wyke’s first United goals for more than seven years after he rejoined the Cumbrians this summer.
And joint assistant manager Barr said they bore the hallmark of an efficient penalty-box operator.
“It’s not just the two goals – it’s where the two goals are scored,” said Barr.
“That's your striker's dream. If you're there more often than not the ball will find you.
“That's a good thing for young strikers [to know] as well, and his finishes were really, really good.”
Wyke’s goals followed a headed opener by fellow summer new boy Terell Thomas on a night United were given a good workout by a well-drilled Kendal side.
The game also saw a first Blues outing for Archie Davies, hours after the wing-back completed his move from Dundalk.
Barr said of the latest arrival: “He hasn’t trained with us yet – the paperwork was done and he went straight into the game.
“It was really pleasing to see him going forward. He can give us something different.
“He’s coming back to England, he’s coming up north from down south, so it's going to be different [for him], but the lads will bed him in.
“We've got a good group of players that have been really good from day one, so I'm sure he'll be welcomed with open arms and we'll work with him as to what we want from him.
“It’s weird in that he’s done nearly 25 games already [with Dundalk in the League of Ireland season] – he thought he was coming to the end, but he's got to start again now with us.
“We'll have to manage that at certain points I'd say, because it will be a long time of football for him, so at times we'll have to rest his body a little bit.”
Keeper Jude Smith also got his first taste of action in a United jersey in the game in south Cumbria.
“We’ve got three goalkeepers all competing for one spot, so every chance they get they have to impress,” Barr said.
“Although he [Smith] didn't have a lot to do, he tied it up behind, and vocally he was good.
“It’s nice to get these new players game time.”
Barr was pleased with United’s endeavours against Jimmy Marshall’s Kendal but conceded that their work in the attacking third was not yet as good as it could be.
“It was a good workout from our point of view physically,” the coach said.
“We looked good, created lots of chances. [Our work] at the top end of the pitch…we'll work with that leading into the start of the season, but to get there, some of the play was really good.
“Some of the combinations were really good, especially in the second half.
“It was a good, solid test from Kendal as well. Things to work on, but pleased overall.”
Barr, meanwhile, would not be drawn on the future of midfielder Alfie McCalmont, who was again missing from the squad at Kendal.
He is expected to leave the Blues with speculation linking the former Leeds United man with a move to Australia, where Central Coast Mariners – the club of ex-Carlisle striker Ryan Edmondson – is believed to be a potential destination.
McCalmont could join Jack Armer in leaving Brunton Park.
“The gaffer deals with that, I don't know if anything is concrete on it,” Barr said.
“Jack's gone, Archie's in – we just work with the players we get given and go from there.”
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