Carlisle United 3 Bransty Rangers 0: Three goals in eight first-half minutes saw Carlisle United overcome a spirited Bransty Rangers to reach their first Cumberland Cup final for four years.

Taylor Charters, Keighran Kerr and Josh Galloway all struck between the 37th and 45th minutes as a mostly youthful Blues side got the better of their west Cumbrian opponents.

The victory sent the Blues through to a Brunton Park final against either Wigton Harriers or Penrith, who play their semi-final this weekend.

The game also saw midfielder Jason Kennedy get another 90 minutes under his belt, with second-choice keeper Louis Gray the only other senior player involved.

With manager Steven Pressley watching, along with a vocal Bransty support at Penrith’s Frenchfield Park ground, the west Cumbrians forced the game’s first chance when Adam Smith shot wide in the third minute.

Carlisle then applied pressure in a bid to break down their hard-working opponents, Liam Brockbank and Charters going close and Galloway having an effort ruled out for offside.

Cieran Casson then fired narrowly over the bar and Kennedy had an attempt saved.

It took the Blues 37 minutes finally to break down the Smurfit Kappa Cumberland County League Division One side, Charters breaking the deadlock after his first attempt from Kerr’s pass had been saved by keeper Jamie Brady.

Carlisle then added two more goals in quick succession, Kerr slotting home after a Charters miskick had broken his way, and Galloway’s shot from outside the box taking a deflection as it flew past Brady.

United were unable to add to their tally after the break with Charlie Birch sending a free-kick over the bar and a Kennedy goal ruled out for a foul in the box.

Liam O’Pray headed a corner wide as Bransty searched for a consolation, with Charters denied by Brady at the other end and Liam Lightfoot heading over a good late chance for United.

Gray saved well at his near post from Bradley O’Pray in the closing stages as Carlisle held out for the semi-final victory.

The final is on Tuesday, April 30.

United: Gray, Kelly (Soper 73), Brockbank, Casson (Barnes 70), Lightfoot, Branthwaite, Kennedy, Birch (Papa 62), Kerr, Charters, Galloway. Not used: Armstrong, Ward.

Goals: Charters 37, Kerr 39, Galloway 45

Bransty: Brady, McCann, L O’Pray, B O’Pray, Smith, Garroway, Callan, S O’Pray (Fisher 70), Thursby, Sim (Relph 54), Smith (Dobinson 86). Not used: McGuinness, Graham.

Ref: Kevin Mulraine

Crowd: 160