Another good game for the reserves in Blackpool
United created the better of the chances in another good to watch reserve fixture against Blackpool on Tuesday afternoon and they were rewarded with a deserved victory and some very well worked goals.
Carlisle attacked from the off and an overlap from Brough brought a half chance for Beck when the wide man clipped the ball into the box. He trapped it, with his back to goal, and the keeper was well positioned to claim it.
A patient build up followed from the visitors with Gillies and Symington instrumental in creating space in the middle of the park. A Beck touch on the edge of the area invited Gillies to shoot but he dragged his shot wide.
Blackpool tightened things up and a quick break down the left flank left Delfouneso with a brief sight of the target. He let one fly but Hanford was well positioned to grab it.
The home side started to find momentum and a cross from the right had to be hooked clear as runners arrived late at the back stick.
The Cumbrians weathered the decent home spell and a fantastic pass from Hammell left a lively trialist to take it into his stride and power into the area. He drilled a low shot into the back of the net, off the inside of the post, despite a strong touch from the keeper.
The visiting lead was doubled just after the break when Gillies swept a vicious corner into the mix. A deflection took it away from the stranded stopper and new signing Nathan Buddle announced his arrival in style when he adjusted his position to guide the ball over the line with a deliberate touch off his chest.
It was all about Carlisle and Gillies worked space for himself when he moved forward in support of Beck. He went for an early shot but he was under pressure and he dragged it wide.
United grabbed their third of the day when an inch perfect 40-yard pass from Buddle released Gillies on the right flank. He went shoulder to shoulder with former-Blue Tom Aldred and did enough to make space for a cross. Mark Beck watched it and made no mistake as he calmly lifted it over the advancing stopper.
The Tangerines gave themselves a lifeline on 66 minutes when Jordan Marshall felled Tom Barkhuizen just inside the box. Hanford guessed correctly but it was a well struck spot kick that rattled into the bottom corner.
The action ebbed and flowed from end to end and the move of the day almost brought a fourth for the visitors when Symington, Robson and Quigley carved their way through with a neat interchange of passes. The keeper was relieved to see it fly past his post as he remained rooted to the floor.
United – Hanford (Eccles 77), Trialist, Buddle, Thirlwell (Robson 46), Brough (Marshall 61), Trialist (Elliott 77), Gillies, Symington, Kearns (White 61), Beck (Blackburn 61), Hammell (Quigley 77).
Goals – Trialist (35), Buddle (47), Beck (54).
