A number of former Carlisle United players – including some who left the Blues this summer – made their debuts for new clubs at the weekend.

Here’s a look at how they got on.

In League One, defender Rhys Bennett was straight into action for Gillingham.

He played the full game, in a side captained by ex-Carlisle star Kyle Dempsey, as the hosts drew 1-1 with Lincoln City at Priestfield,

Manager Steve Evans praised the centre-half’s performance afterwards, saying Bennett – who turned down a new Blues deal – “did a good job” at the back.

Another man who left United for League One, Omari Patrick, went straight into the Burton side as they enjoyed a winning start to the campaign.

The attacker helped the Brewers to a 1-0 victory at Shrewsbury, playing 83 minutes before being replaced by Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.

Patrick was involved in a number of first-half chances, before John Brayford hit the only goal against a Shrews side for whom ex-Blues striker Ryan Bowman was making his debut.

Also in League One, the promising career of teenage Cumbrian goalkeeper James Trafford took another step.

The 18-year-old Manchester City keeper made his Football League debut for Accrington Stanley in their 2-1 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers.

Former Blues winger John O'Sullivan, back at Accrington for a second spell, also started the game.

Charlie Wyke, on his Wigan debut, made a losing start against his former club Sunderland, who included ex-Carlisle loanee Corry Evans for the first time as they prevailed 2-1.

Striker Joshua Kayode, on loan with United last season, was an unused sub for Rotherham in their 2-0 win over Plymouth.

In League Two, meanwhile, Paul Farman got off to a losing start with Barrow as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at another of his former clubs in Stevenage.

Keeper Farman was beaten by a Jake Reeves effort early in the second half at the Lamex Stadium. His fellow summer recruit from the Blues, striker Offrande Zanzala, missed the game with injury but is close to a return, while Barrow were skippered by ex-United man Mark Ellis, with Jamie Devitt and Patrick Brough involved for the Bluebirds and Tom White an unused sub.

Ex-United captain Nick Anderton, meanwhile, suffered defeat in his competitive debut for Bristol Rovers, the left-back playing the full game as they lost 2-1 at Mansfield.

Harry McKirdy, meanwhile, enjoyed a successful first competitive Swindon appearance. He started, and scored the Robins’ late third goal from close range in an 89-minute outing as they won 3-1 at Scunthorpe, the visitors coming back from a Ryan Loft penalty.

Also in the fourth tier, Olufela Olomola played the first hour and fellow striker Mark Cullen came off the bench late on as Hartlepool enjoyed a successful return to the EFL, beating Crawley 1-0.

Aaron Hayden, meanwhile, must wait until August 21 for his potential competitive Wrexham debut, with their National League campaign getting under way against Yeovil that day.

Liam Lightfoot, released by the Blues this summer, played his first Workington game since joining on non-contract terms as Reds beat Morpeth 6-0 in their final pre-season friendly – a game which featured a goal after 11 seconds by keeper Jim Atkinson, described as Borough Park’s fastest-ever goal!