United put on a five-star display, as a Regan Linney hat-trick fired the Blues to their second win in three days.
Regan Linney was on the scoresheet three times for United on Monday afternoon, with Jack Ellis also notching his first goal of the season.
Mark Hughes made one change from the Blues’ 1-0 win against Wealdstone in their last encounter, with Callum Whelan replacing Harvey Macadam in United’s starting eleven.
The Cumbrians went close to going ahead in the opening minute, when Linney cut inside, and his deflected effort forced the ’keeper into a smart save.
United’s left-winger made no mistake on 14 minutes, when he fired Stephen Wearne’s pinpoint pass into the back of the net to put United ahead.
The Blues’ day got even better just fourteen minutes later as a George Langston own-goal doubled their advantage. Linney’s pinpoint ball into the eighteen-yard box found Luke Armstrong, his ball across goal was diverted into the back of the net by the ’defender.
United nearly made their lead unassailable on 33 minutes, after a precise pass from Jack Ellis found Cameron Harper on the left wing, his driven cross across goal just evaded the oncoming Armstrong at the back post.
Carlisle’s free-flowing play nearly resulted in more first-half goals. Callum Whelan had the Cumbrians’ best chance before the interval, as his half-volley was impressively blocked by the ’defender.
The visitors’ most dangerous chance of the opening period arrived on 43 minutes, as a whipped delivery from Kyle Smith forced a vital interception from Bevis Mugabi.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 2-0 Braintree Town
United started off the second-half with the same intensity that they displayed in the first-half. On 48 minutes, Linney found space on the left wing, he passed the ball to Whelan, who’s swerving shot from outside the box was well saved by the ’keeper.
Terrell Thomas went close for the Blues on 51 minutes, his venomous effort was saved spectacularly by the ’keeper to limit United’s lead to two.
Linney added to his tally on 53 minutes as he calmly slotted his penalty into the bottom right corner to put Carlisle 3-0 up, after Callum Whelan was tripped in the box and the referee awarded United a penalty.
The day got even better for the man of the moment on 65 minutes, when he flicked Cameron Harper's in-swinging corner into the back of the net, after a darting run to the front post.
Braintree threatened to get on the scoresheet on 73 minutes, as Lewis Walker bore down on Gabe Breeze’s goal, but Terrell Thomas was on hand to block the striker’s close-range effort.
United got their fifth of the afternoon on 80 minutes, when Jack Ellis nodded Archie Davies’ corner past the ’keeper into the bottom left corner.
The Blues were close to increasing their advantage on 84 minutes, when hard work from Georgie Kelly forced an opening in the box for Ethan Robson, but his effort hit the side-netting and United had to settle for the five goals on a stellar afternoon at Brunton Park.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 5-0 Braintree Town
Teams
Carlisle United: Breeze, Davies, Mugabi (Feeney 71’), Thomas, Harper, Whelan, Ellis, Wearne (Grant 64’), Linney (Ajiboye 71’), Armstrong (Kelly 64’), Luamba(Robson 79’).
Unused subs: Lewis, Macadam.
Braintree Town: Terry, Smith, Langston, Smith (Kamara 46’), Francis-Clarke, Marshall-Miranda, Vennings (Hockey 67’), Walker, Hubbard (Terry 32’), Cooper(Thorpe 46’), Akinde (Judge 67’).
Unused subs: Omrore, Babic.
Goals:
Carlisle United: (Linney 14’, 53’ PEN, 65’), (Langston OG 28’), (Ellis 80’)
Braintree Town: N/A
Yellow Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A
Braintree Town: (Francis-Clarke 54’), (Thorpe 57’)
Red Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A
Braintree Town: N/A
Officials:
Referee – Scott Jackson
Assistant Referee 1 – Michael Burrows
Assistant Referee 2 – Bradley Hall
Fourth Official – Lewis Dawson
Attendance:
6761 (58 away)
