It was a great start to the 2019/20 season for Carlisle United who beat Crawley 2-1.

I didn’t realise it had been nine years since the Blues last claimed an opening-day league win, with Saturday’s success coming courtesy of goals from Harry McKirdy and Stefan Scougall.

So, I would like to congratulate manager Steven Pressley and his players for that. I wasn’t at Brunton Park for the clash but, from what I have heard, United created plenty of chances.

As I mentioned last week, it’s all about the first six matches of the league season and getting the better of the Sussex side was certainly a good way to start.

There is such a mental side to football and, after getting a result like that, I’m sure there has been a spring in Carlisle players’ steps this week.

I have to confess, though, I’m still getting used to some of the names in the new-look squad! But once they have played a few matches for the club and we are properly into the swing of the new season, I’m sure I will have got the hang of them.

One of those summer additions, McKirdy, who left Aston Villa at the end of last season, has already made quite an impact in Cumbria. It was a good start for the 22-year-old, getting a goal on his home debut for Carlisle.

Hopefully, having been given the nod to start the Blues’ first match of the season, he can get used to playing 90 minutes soon. I have already heard him mentioned quite a bit, and United’s fans seem to have taken to him quickly.

He will only get better with the more experience and first-team exposure he gets.

Scougall also got on the scoresheet for Carlisle and I was delighted for him. I had watched him before he linked up with the Brunton Park outfit in January.

When I watched him play on television, I thought: “This boy has got something.”

Last season, he didn’t quite have the impact United were expecting and, for me, he wasn’t quite 100 per cent fit. But Blues boss Pressley has managed to get a full pre-season into him. If he stays injury-free, he could be one of the main assets for Pressley’s team.

From the sounds of things, Cumbrian keeper Adam Collin, who has been named as Carlisle’s captain this campaign, also had a solid game. For me, he is becoming Mr Reliable for the team. A lot of confidence can stem from the back.

If you are keeping clean-sheets on a regular basis, that brings confidence, and that can spread right the way through the side.

Tomorrow, United are on the road as they travel to face Swindon who claimed a 2-0 victory at Scunthorpe in their opener, before they lost 3-2 at home to Chelsea’s Under-21s on Tuesday night.

That could be tough, having to go there. I think a point would be a good result, to be honest.

It will move the Cumbrians on to four points from two games, and also keep them unbeaten, ahead of their Carabao Cup clash at Barnsley, before another home league fixture against Mansfield.