Carlisle United rounded off their pre-season programme with a comfortable 3-0 win against a makeshift FC Halifax Town.
Zach Clough, Manasse Mampala and an own-goal saw Chris Beech’s side to victory on Friday night, with less than a week to go now until the start of the season.
So what did we learn from United’s final friendly?
1. Clough’s deadly dead-ball skills
United were not particularly impressive from direct free-kicks last season. That, encouragingly, may be about to change.
Zach Clough’s sixth-minute goal was a quality dead-ball strike, so good Halifax keeper Sam Johnson didn’t bother moving.
It’s not just the standard of finish that could add another dimension for United.
Other teams will now know that Carlisle have a set-piece specialist in their ranks when a shooting opportunity presents itself.
That’s certainly something for League Two opponents to think about when Carlisle are in their territory – and something for Chris Beech’s side to maximise.
Clough, whose deft footwork earned that free-kick, almost got another via a similar route in the second half. Others are likely to have to get in the queue when United are awarded a set-piece in that sort of 25-yard territory.
2. Manny’s making his mark
If pre-season is about players pushing their way forward, seizing their chance and all the other cliches, then could Manasse Mampala have done much more?
The former trialist first did enough to earn a contract, and since then has caught the eye further with his goals.
A superb effort against Everton’s Under-23s was followed by Mampala showing fox-in-the-box qualities against FC Halifax Town.
In the early stages of Friday’s first half, the 21-year-old was excellent, showing clear confidence on the ball, using it well in tight spaces and leading the line with hunger.
The initial idea appeared to be that Mampala would come in to provide some raw competition for Beech’s more established forwards, while furthering his development at United.
Could he, though, turn out to offer a little more than that from the outset?
3. Beech’s defensive decisions
One of the trickier departments to guess Beech’s opening-day thinking is in defence, partly because of the absences there recently.
Against Halifax, the Blues boss went with Aaron Hayden and Corey Whelan at centre-half, with Rod McDonald and Morgan Feeney still missing.
It was a worthwhile look at the versatile Whelan in the position, after previous outings at right-back, and the ex-Liverpool man grew into the game.
United, although they scored twice in the first 12 minutes, actually started the game a little loosely, giving up a couple of dangerous positions and half-chances to Halifax.
A better visiting side might have made the most of the times Carlisle overcommitted, and occasions when they were open to counter-attacks, although Aaron Hayden’s radar was certainly working when he needed to intercept later danger in the box.
The return of McDonald and Feeney to training this week no doubt gives the boss things to ponder, and his decision for Saturday may in part come down to whether he feels they have enough minutes in the tank through pre-season.
4. Dickenson’s difference is clear
Hopefully 2021/22 will turn out to be a happier and more effective one in Cumbria for Brennan Dickenson.
Last season saw the new signing restricted by injury. Dickenson barely had the chance to get into a serious flow of appearances.
He has worked his way back to fitness this summer and it is clear what he offers United that others don’t.
Dickenson has a forceful running style, is a natural left-footer and doesn’t mind delivering the ball early and on the run if opportunities are there.
He claimed an assist for Manny Mampala’s goal and was keen to take on his man down the left.
An injury-free run will enable United to get the full benefit of Dickenson in 2021/22, whatever that might be.
5. The true tests await
Analysing friendlies is often a dubious game, and again we are limited in what we can draw from the Halifax fixture.
The visiting side arrived, after all, with as many trialists as signed-up players.
It was not exactly a primed and poised National League side, and the difference in quality and readiness was clear in Carlisle’s best spells, especially in the first half when the Blues were much sharper and busier.
It is undeniable that United have had a range of different test in pre-season ranging from Blackpool from the Championship to Everton’s Under-23s, to non-league sides of various levels.
This has enabled Beech to try and test different ideas and approaches.
Friday’s game was not, though, the most comprehensive examination ahead of Colchester next weekend.
A confidence-booster, undeniably. But the serious stuff will be much different.
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