Mark Birch says some clear lessons were learned by Carlisle United’s young players in their 5-0 reserve defeat to Burnley.

A young Blues XI lost to the Championship club’s under-21s in the Central League Cup on Tuesday.

And United under-18 boss Birch felt that, despite some good aspects in Carlisle’s game, the way they were punished in key moments was telling.

“The lads did fantastically well to come here with such a young side and really take the game to them for long periods,” he said.

“We held our own, we made a really good game out of it – but it's moments. Blocking shots, passing the ball right, defending properly…and on five occasions we failed to do it.

“And on those five occasions, as the lads have learned, the higher you go up, the quicker you get punished.”

Seb Mason in action during United's 5-0 defeat at Burnley's training centreSeb Mason in action during United's 5-0 defeat at Burnley's training centre (Image: Kevin Hayden)

Carlisle’s team, which was almost entirely made up of under-18 players with third-year scholar Aran Fitzpatrick the only exception, had first-half chances against Andy Farrell’s Clarets.

But Joe Westley’s header left the Blues adrift by the break and then four more Burnley goals increased the hosts’ winning margin, even as they had two players sent off.

“If you look at the game between both penalty boxes, there's probably nothing in the game,” said Birch.

“We were neat and tidy in how we moved the ball, we had some good combinations in the middle. We pressed them really well and were quite brave in the transition, especially in the middle of the park.

“We actually hurt them at times but when we get closer and closer to their box we've got to be a bit more slick, smoother and probably a bit more patient as well. 

“The game was won and lost in both penalty boxes and that's where we let ourselves down. For us to go to the next level as a team, we’ve got to be better in both 18-yard boxes.

“Games like this just show the lads where they need to get to with whatever they've got in the game and what they need to add.

“The first thing we said when we came into this game is that the lads will be better players in two hours' time. Coming and playing at places like this, playing against established under-21s, who are doing very well in the league, you'll learn from it.

“We go away, take away the experience, and through experience alone you'll be a better player.”

United’s XI included three youth team players who have made first-team appearances this season in Dan Hopper, Hayden Atkinson and Freddie O’Donoghue.

Mark BirchMark Birch (Image: Richard Parkes)

Birch said that experience ought to show everyone in the youth set-up the chances that are there – provided they make the most of them.

“There’s a pathway there for them. I think they can see that there's opportunity there, but I'd say the hardest thing in football is grabbing that opportunity,” the coach added.

“You don't get many times when  the opportunity opens up for you but when it does you've got to grab it with both hands, because sometimes second and third opportunities don't come around.”

Next for United’s youth side is a league clash with Burton Albion, with a busy schedule also soon seeing Fred Conway Cumberland Cup action against Carlisle City, the Floodlit Cup for the under-17s and an FA Youth Cup second round trip to Barnsley.

Carlisle earned the latter with a first round win at Altrincham last week. The trip to Oakwell will be the second time in successive seasons that the clubs have met in the FA Youth Cup.

“We're going to be playing at a good stadium and when you come through an under-9 to 16 programme, that's why you do it.

“That's why you put in all the hours on a Tuesday and Thursday to be in the FA Youth Cup playing at places like Barnsley.

“We'll go there and we've got to make sure we give ourselves the best opportunity of coming out winners.”