Darren Edmondson says his young Penrith side are relishing the chance to take on Football League opposition for the second time in nine days.

After last week’s friendly against Carlisle United, the Northern League Division One club host Barrow AFC today.

Edmondson’s side, featuring a number of trialists, competed well against Paul Simpson’s Carlisle before going down 5-1.

The new manager says the latest game against Pete Wild’s south Cumbrians – and a club Edmondson used to manage – will help him make decisions on certain players.

“These are the games players want to play in, to showcase themselves, and the same goes for the trialists who have come over,” Edmondson said.

“This weekend is another good game for them to be involved in, and then we can make some decisions going into our next big friendly against Workington after that.”

Edmondson took charge at the Leo Group Stadium this summer and is in the process of rebuilding the squad.

READ MORE: Ex-Carlisle United star Darren Edmondson: what impressed me about Simmo's Blues in Penrith friendly

Some of the trialists are affiliated to the Park View Academy in the north east, where Edmondson has been working has head of football.

The 50-year-old says he is relishing the challenge of trying to improve the Frenchfield Park club’s fortunes.

“It’s good to be back in the dugout – the first time in earnest for a long time,” he said.

“I’m probably a different beast now; I get less frustrated by things, and you learn to cope with the different stresses of it.

“I hope that makes me a better manager – that I’m a bit more level-headed than I used to be.

“We’ll slowly build relationships, myself and the players; we’re learning about each other and I’m hoping it’s going to be a long journey for us together.

“We’ll hope to build and build as we go on.”

Kick-off today is 3pm.

Carlisle City, meanwhile, have an all-Cumbrian friendly of their own when they welcome Cleator Moor Celtic to the Three Rivers Health & Safety Consultancy Stadium (3pm).