Eric Kinder on the Longtown game
United coach Eric Kinder spoke to us about the 3-0 victory over Longtown in the second round of the Cumberland Cup.He said: "We have to give credit to Longtown because they came here and made it difficult for us.
"They had five across the back line and four in midfield and they worked their socks off.
"Having said that, it was very one-sided and we created quite a few good chances. We probably didn't get to the tempo we can play at but we moved and passed the ball very well at times.
"Longtown were happy to sit back and invite us to come onto them and we hit the woodwork so many times I lost count. It was definitely a good game for the first team lads who haven't played much and it was a very good game for the younger lads who haven't experienced playing under floodlights before. We have our FA Cup game at Crewe in two weeks time so that helps to prepare them for what that will be like.
"We've had Cumberland Cup games in the past where we haven't dominated as much but we've come away with six or seven goals. In this one we had the bulk of possession but we haven't quite managed to reflect that on the score sheet.
"The pick of the goals came from Kyle Dempsey. He has impressed everyone recently and that was the first chance Graham Kavanagh has had to see him in action. He's a good player and we are now working on what he gives to the team off the ball. He needs to get that right if he is going to progress and, if he does, then he will develop into a very good player.
"Overall it was job done for us. We've gone out there and played our football and the only criticism is that we wanted to score more goals. We've come through it relatively unscathed because we protected Brad Potts a little bit at the end. He felt his groin tighten and we didn't want to take any risks with that, so we went down to ten men for the last fifteen minutes or so. We think we've caught it in time and he should be fine for Saturday.
"As the game went on it became a bit of joke between me and Kav as to when Mark Beck was going to score. He looked really, really hungry and he's hit the post, he's had the keeper make saves and he has had everything he tried get blocked or deflected away.
"He worked extremely hard and it's a part of his game he has improved massively. His hold up play is miles better than it was and he deserved a goal. It didn't come for him and he has to get used to that. All you can do is keep going and make sure you get into the same areas in the next game you play.
"The good thing about this one was that the attitude was right. It has to be like that on Cumberland Cup night or these teams will come and teach you a harsh lesson."
