Carlisle United 2 Workington Juniors 0: Freddie O’Donoghue’s strike within 10 seconds helped Carlisle United defeat Workington Juniors in the first round of the Fred Conway Cumberland Cup.

The young striker was alert from the kick-off to give the Blues an early lead at Carlisle City’s Gilford Park.

Trent Chapman was also on the scoresheet with a powerful second-half effort which sealed the victory. 

The West Cumbrians, in just their tenth match since their formation, ensured it was a physical encounter undone by the early strikes in each half.

Thanks to the efforts of their youngsters in the first round, Carlisle United will now face former defender Dan Kirkup’s Carlisle City in a tie to be played on or before Saturday, November 9.

With Blues chief executive Nigel Clibbens and Tom Piatak II in attendance, it was the Blues that made a lighting start with Freddie O’Donoghue handing the hosts the lead within 10 seconds with a deft finish into the bottom left corner.

After the Blues’ blistering start the game began to settle, with both sides battling for possession.

However, it was the Blues that were asserting themselves with Dan Hopper stinging the palms of the Workington goalkeeper on 14 minutes. 

Almost ten minutes later the West Cumbrians had their first chance to test Casey Sillitoe with a central free kick around 25 yards out. 

However, it was struck low and hit the wall with the Blues able to clear their lines.

In the 32nd minute, Carlisle should have doubled their lead, however, a flowing move was finished by a shot from Jamie Hodgson which flew over the crossbar.

This was the last meaningful action of the half with Blues leading 1-0 at the break.

The second half started as the first had finished, with Carlisle enjoying most of the ball but lacking the killer instinct.

However, on 55 minutes a ball broke kindly across the edge of the box with Chapman rifling home to double Carlisle’s lead. 

Five minutes after the Blues doubled their lead they were almost picking the ball out of their net when Workington managed to fashion a shot out of a penalty box scrap after a corner, but the effort was just wide.

After this flurry in the first period of the second half the game settled into its usual rhythm as Carlisle kept hold of the ball. 

Despite trailing by two goals, Workington Juniors spent the rest of the match making sure Carlisle felt their presence with a few half chances and set pieces testing the young Blues, however, at the final whistle it was the hosts that progressed to the second round of the Cumberland Cup. 

CARLISLE UNITED: Sillitoe, Chapman, Hodgson, Rigby, Porter, Atkinson, Lambert, Hopper, O’Donoghue, Lowes, Mason

SUBS: Randall, Bell, Matthews, Edgar, Comp