Carlisle United youth squad won the Raydale Cup at Gretna following the four-team tournament over the weekend.

In yesterday’s final, they beat a Workington Reds reserve side 5-0 and skipper Dean Watson received the trophy from Gretna chairman Alec Thompson.

On Saturday, in their first game, the Carlisle youngsters beat hosts Gretna 2-0, while Workington fielded a first team to beat Annan 1-0.

Darren Edmondson and Gavin Skelton, both former Workington managers, were in charge of the Carlisle squad which pulled away in the second half against an inexperienced Reds line up.

Both sides hit the bar in the opening exchanges. Reds centre-back Jordan Williams headed against the bar following a corner, while Aidan Hutchinson’s shot for Carlisle also suffered the same fate.

It had been a battling effort by the young Reds line-up but on 43 minutes Carlisle took the lead from the penalty spot after Belchior Papa had been brought down by Jordan Winthrop. Josh Dixon made no mistake from the spot.

Nine minutes into the second half Papa produced a classy finish, finding the net with a smart shot on the turn.

The final 15 minutes were dominated by Luke Lloyd, one of the Carlisle substitutes.

On 75 minutes, he went through the middle before lobbing Reds’ keeper Andrew Monaghan for the first of what proved to be a hat-trick in 10 minutes.

His second was a poacher’s finish from a goalmouth scramble and he completed the treble with a neat finish five minutes from the end.

There was still time for Monaghan to deny Carlisle a sixth when he produced the save of the tournament to earn a standing ovation.

Sam Adewusi was the player thwarted by the keeper’s agility.

In Sunday’s initial clash of the Scots, who had been the first-day losers, Annan came from behind to beat the hosts Gretna 4-1.

It was quite a day for trialist Ryan Sinnamon who helped himself to a hat-trick from midfield to drop a big hint of his potential to new Annan boss Peter Murphy.

The game hadn’t started well for Annan, however, as goalkeeper James Atkinson watched in horror as his clearance rebounded off Gretna’s Liam Studholme to finish in the net.

There were only eight minutes on the clock and although they had the better of the play Annan didn’t get back on terms until the 35th minute.

It was the first of Sinnamon’s treble, a well-struck shot from 20 yards which flew into the net.

Then on the stroke of half-time Annan grabbed the lead when Rabin Omar did well to step inside a challenge and fire an angled shot past Johnny Jameson.

Within a minute of the re-start Annan had increased their lead. Sinnamon again found the target from 20 yards, this effort going in off the post.

Gretna had few opportunities to get back in the game but when Sam Atkinson got a shooting chance a well-struck effort was neatly saved by his brother James Atkinson in the Annan goal.

The match was settled in the 69th minute when Sinnamon completed his hat-trick with yet another well-taken finish from 20 yards.

Carlisle had opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over Gretna who had eight Englishmen and three Scots in their starting 11. Carlisle fielded a squad of teenagers.

A very efficient performance from the young Blues secured a thoroughly deserved victory with a goal in each half.

Gretna did have a chance to take the lead on 19 minutes when a Kevin Connelly shot was pushed away for a corner by Carlisle keeper Lee Ashton. When the ball found its way to Gretna’s Matthew Read, his shot cleared the bar.

The opening goal of the tournament came on 37 minutes via a sweetly struck free-kick from 25 yards.

Max Cowburn curled his shot beyond Jamieson after Daniel Wadge had conceded the free-kick for a needless foul on Lloyd.

The game was not really settled until the 85th minute following Jack Egen’s well-flighted corner which Dixon powerfully headed home from six yards.

For their game against Annan Athletic, Reds were without Scott Allison, Rob Wilson and Sam Smith as well as the already injured Lamin Cham.

They had to show great resilience in the opening 20 minutes as Annan started the brighter and at times it took some desperate defending to keep Peter Murphy’s side at bay.

In fact, Murphy almost gave his side the lead on 15 minutes with a sweet left-foot volley which was just wide. At the other end a free-kick from Conor Tinnion drifted just wide.

Reds had gradually got a foothold in the game and by half-time it was an even contest.

The west Cumbrians started the second half on the front foot and were in control for a good 20-minute spell.

Nathan Waterston, a half-time replacement for Jack Ryan, was presented with a chance when Raff Krissian lost his footing but he shot wide with a poor finish.

Then Sam Joel broke through the inside left channel but was thwarted by a smart save by Alex Mitchell.

The only goal came on 56 minutes when Annan conceded a free kick just outside the box with a foul on Joel.

Dave Symington struck the dead ball well and Mitchell failed to gather as the alert Waterston reacted quickest to guide home the rebound.

In the later stages, Reds had to defend for long spells but Annan lost their way somewhat with numerous substitutions disrupting play.

It was good game management by Reds with Aaran Taylor a great voice behind a resolute back four.

Both sides tired in the later stages but Annan had rarely troubled Taylor in the second half.

Josh Calvert sustained a flailing elbow in the face and was forced to retire with Reds playing out the game with 10 men.