Dobie at the double as Blues start with a win at Kendal
Last updated 16:08, Friday, 18 July 2008
FRIENDLY: Kendal 0 Carlisle United 4: Scott Dobie flew out of the traps with a quick-fire brace as Carlisle United cruised through their first pre-season test in south Cumbria.
The flying frontman scored twice in four minutes before Danny Carlton and Luke Joyce rounded off a clinical second-half display from John Ward's men.
Dobie crashed home an Evan Horwood cross to put the Blues in front after 57 minutes, then pounced again after fine work from Simon Hackney.
Carlton nodded his first Blues goal for nearly a year before Joyce found the net with a fine long-range effort from the last kick of the game.
Ward handed debuts to Ben Williams and Josh Gowling in the first half and the new signings enjoyed a largely comfortable 45 minutes, with ‘keeper Williams untroubled by the Kendal attack.
But the non-league side were in combative mood with right-back Neil Murphy setting a firm tone with challenges on Darren Campion and the red-booted Jeff Smith.
It was Blues trialist Dean Nicholson - partnering Danny Graham in attack - who had the first genuine chance, robbing former United target Jon Forbes and speeding into the box, only to curl the chance wide.
That followed a borderline offside flag raised by referee’s assistant Joe Simpson - son of former Blues boss Paul - when Nicholson had played Graham through.
Cleveland Taylor, looking bright down the right in the early stages, ended a fine passing move by curling narrowly wide, before home ‘keeper David Nennes was alert to tip behind a glancing header from Graham.
Lee Ashcroft’s Unibond Premier Division side were playing some tidy football of their own and created chances for Ian Kilford, Carl Osman and Craig Hobson, but on each occasion the finish didn’t match the move.
United were growing stronger as the first half went on, with Smith purposeful down the left and Peter Murphy the pick of the back four. Chris Lumsdon, who wore the captain’s armband in the first 45 minutes, concluded matters by missing United’s best chance so far, firing over after good work from Campion near the left hand corner flag.
United switched to a fresh XI for the second half, a side which included former youth team centre-half Dan Wordsworth in the first team for the first time since he signed professional forms. He was joined in the back four by Joyce, who was filling in at right-back.
And there was an early chance for the Blues after the break when Dobie beat the offside trap after Hackney’s through ball, only for Kendal to recover and clear.
But Dobie clinically converted his next chance, blasting in a fine volley after Horwood’s excellent cross from the left.
Four minutes later, with United firmly in the ascendancy, the Cumbrian doubled his account. He slotted home after Carlton miskicked Hackney’s cross, the lively winger having robbed sub right-back Jimmy Williams.
Gary Baker headed a decent chance wide for the hosts, before Nennes denied Gary Madine from close range after Carlton had rounded the ‘keeper.
Kendal’s Warburton was booked for a poor challenge on Danny Livesey, before Kevin Gall replaced Madine for the last 15 minutes.
The Welshman forced a sharp save from Nennes five minutes after his introduction, before Carlton nodded United’s third from Livesey’s cross after the big centre-half popped up on the left of the area.
Kendal should have pulled one back immediately, but manager Ashcroft rolled the ball wide of an open goal after Chris Howarth’s clearance had been charged down. Joyce, advancing from full-back, then spectacularly completed the scoring - and a convincing victory - at the death.
MATCH FACTS
Carlisle (first half): Williams, Raven, Murphy, Gowling, Campion, Taylor, Lumsdon, Bridge-Wilkinson, J Smith, Nicholson, Graham.
(second half): Howarth, Joyce, Wordsworth, Livesey, Horwood, G Smith, Thirlwell, Dobie, Carlton, Hackney, Madine (Gall 75).
Goals: Dobie 57, 61, Carlton 81, Joyce 90.
Attendance: 1,051
Ref: N Swarbrick.
