Workington Reds overcame a stubborn Carlisle City last night to record a 2-0 victory in the team’s fourth pre-season outing. 

Carlisle City, who play their football in the Northern Football Alliance Premier Division, proved to be tough opponents for Derek Townsley’s side. 

Townsley gave minutes to all 19 players that travelled to the Sheepmount Athletics Stadium for the encounter and was pleased with what he saw. 

He said: “It was a good exercise and was worthwhile. 

“They are a good little club Carlisle City. When you are playing against opposition that are superior than yourselves you lift your game, that happens throughout football. 

“They looked at us as a team playing at a higher level and naturally lifted their game.” 

Townsley revealed that he has signed trialist James Earl after the Carlisle-based midfielder impressed during the early stages of pre-season. 

Townsley said: “We had Gavin [Skelton] in there last season and James is similar. He is good lad, is fit and gets around the pitch.” 

It took Workington Reds until the 76th minute to break down a resilient Carlisle City. 

The deadlock was broken by last year’s Players’ Player of the Year Conor Tinnion after Alex Salmon squared the ball into his path for an easy tap-in. 

It was 2-0 to Workington on 83 minutes thanks to a sensational strike from Reds stalwart Anthony Wright. 

The midfielder picked up the ball after the City goalkeeper had punched it clear and smashed into the net from 30 yards out. 

The result was Workington’s second victory in pre-season following the 9-0 hammering of Whitehaven AFC at the start of the month, which proceeded losses to Carlisle United and Annan Athletic.