A youthful Carlisle United side were beaten 4-2 by Bolton Wanderers at the Sheepmount in their opening match of the U17s PDL Cup.
Despite goals from Kian Stuart and Nathan Wheatley, United conceded three goals within the first 15 minutes of the second-half in a tough defeat at home.
Mark Birch made eight changes from last weekend’s 3-1 defeat against Preston, with many of the under-16s coming into the side.
The Blues started the match with plenty of possession and created an early chance with a deep cross falling to Harry Moynan, who tested Bolton’s ‘keeper with an effort whuch was well held.
The visitors grew into the match; Brad Robinson had to make a top reflex save from close range to deny Bolton’s striker after the ball fell kindly to him in the box.
Bolton would take the lead in the 27th minute after a quick breakaway was well finished beyond Robinson, who despite his best attempts was unable to keep the ball out of his net.
United would roar back level just before half-time through Stuart, who did well to close down Bolton’s ‘keeper, before rounding him and finishing past the covering defender on the line.
HALF TIME: Carlisle United 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
The visitors would take back their lead within 60 seconds of the restart to the second-half after the Blues were punished for giving the ball away in their defensive-third.
The Trotters would double their advantage six minutes later, after some good combination play was finished off.
Bolton would get their fourth goal two minutes later, when Robinson was unable to keep out an effort from outside the box.
United would make a triple change soon after, which helped to wrestle back control of the match, with Ben Aaron, Finley Boertien and Wheatley being brought on.
Wheatley made an instant impact after coming off the bench, he would pull a goal back for the Blues after Aaron did brilliantly well to win the ball back before the latter cooly finished past Bolton’s keeper.
Aaron was unfortunate to not get a goal for himself after he had a goal-bound header cleared off the line.
Mark Birch’s side kept pushing to get back into the game, Tyler Cumerksy tried his luck from distance, but his effort was well held.
United will be hoping to get back to winning ways next weekend, as they host Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 2-4 Bolton Wanderers
Team:
Carlisle United: Robinson, Thwaites, Moynan, Murphy, Blaylock, Hodgson, Wade (C) (Boertien 60’), Cumersky, Stuart (Wheatley 60’), Trialist A (Aaron 60’), Harabasz
Unused subs:
Carlisle United: Worth, Miller
Goals:
Carlisle United: (Stuart 60’), (Wheatley 71’)
Yellow Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A
Red Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A
