Leeds United loanee Alfie McCalmont on his first Carlisle United goal

The Leeds United loan midfielder made an instant impact on his first start, hitting the Blues' early winner against Colchester United.

McCalmont has had to be patient for his opportunity in Paul Simpson’s side since his January move.

But the 22-year-old is now hoping to build on his matchwinning efforts following Saturday's outing.

“Just walking out, playing in front of fans again, felt amazing, because I've been waiting for it for a while,” said McCalmont.

“And then the goal…I couldn’t really believe at the time how early it came. It felt really good.”

McCalmont took less than four minutes to pounce on a Colchester defensive error and finish with composure at the Warwick Road End.

It was backed up by a solid United showing that secured a 1-0 victory which strengthened their hold on third place in League Two.

Until Saturday McCalmont had been limited to three brief substitute appearances, Paul Simpson’s starting XI proving difficult to break into during their formidable January form.

Big 3 points! Enjoyed that💙 @officialcufc https://t.co/N3SrH7NliA

— Alfie McCalmont (@alfiemccalmont4) February 19, 2023

But a three-game winless and goalless run since then prompted the manager to freshen up his side on Saturday – and McCalmont grabbed his chance.

“When I first arrived the team were doing well so I had to be patient,” he said. “The manager told me that at the start, and I’ve just kept my head down in training and worked hard, then when my chance came on Saturday I knew I had to take it, so I’m happy.

McCalmont pounced on a defensive error to score on his first Carlisle start (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“I’ve been on loan before so I know how the process works when you first join a new club. If I was in a team that was playing well I wouldn’t expect to be taken out of the team, and it was the same for the lads here.

“I just had to bide my time, and it was a poor result against Mansfield [a 4-0 home defeat last Tuesday], so the manager made some changes.

“I knew it was my chance, and I knew I had to put a good performance in if I want to stay in the team. I’m really happy to get a goal and help the team.”

READ MORE: Young Carlisle United fans give up half-term to paint Warwick Road End

Simpson was impressed with McCalmont’s overall contribution and the midfielder says he was delighted to play his part in such an important win.

Even whilst not in the team, the loanee adds that it has been impossible not to share in the good feelings at United at present.

“I'm loving it,” he said. “It's probably one of the best changing rooms I've been in.

“The lads are spot on. I'm living in the house in Brampton with JK [Gordon] – we get on really well, so that helps, being together rather than just being by ourselves.

“But the lads are spot on and they were buzzing for me as well on Saturday, getting the goal and getting my chance. It makes you feel good.”

McCalmont says he ensured that, with his work in training, he was sharp and ready for his chance – and his eyes lit up when the header from Colchester’s Connor Wood fell into his path.

“I just gambled and the ball fell nicely for me,” he said. “The manager always says in training that he wants the midfielders to get into the box so that’s what I tried to do.

“A lot of the play came down the left on Saturday so I was trying to get into the box from the right, and in the first couple of minutes the full back made that mistake and I read it which meant I could just slot it in.

It was McCalmont's first goal in first-team football since October 2021 (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“I feel like my composure in front of goal is good – you can’t be too erratic and slash at things. I knew I was only eight yards out or so, so I knew I could roll it in instead of trying to smash it.

“I caught the keeper off guard because I did it quickly and because it was low he couldn’t get down to it, so I was really happy with it.”

It was a first goal for McCalmont in first-team football since October 2021, when he was on loan in League One with Morecambe. Having also been on loan with Oldham Athletic, this move to Cumbria gives the Leeds prospect a first shot at a promotion.

Saturday’s hard-working win keeps that aim on track. “Getting the early goal helped,” he added. “I thought they had more of the ball than us, but we put pressure on their midfielders and defence, and nicked the ball back a few times and had a few opportunities.

READ MORE: Fans gallery from Carlisle United's win over Colchester

“They didn’t really pepper us much, Tommy [goalkeeper Tomas Holy] was good at collecting crosses and the defence were really, really solid.

“We had quite a few chances when we could have been 2-0 or 3-0, Mells [Jon Mellish] and Denno [Kristian Dennis] had chances, but to get the clean sheet and three points is the main thing.”

The win was timely, coming after that mini wobble in form, and also saw Carlisle capitalise when others in the race slipped up on Saturday.

“We feel like, because of what we've done this season, this was probably the biggest blip we've had,” said McCalmont. “So we kind of had to say together that, ‘We can't let this affect us. It's gone. We've got a game coming up and we've just got to get back to what we're good at’.”

Having duly put the Mansfield thrashing to bed, United’s focus returns to the run-in. “Like the manager said, we've got 15 games left, so it's like a little mini-league,” McCalmont said. “He said if we can finish top of that mini-league then our job's done.

Team-mates were delighted for McCalmont as he helped the Blues remain third in League Two (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“But we just take every game by game and don't get too ahead of ourselves because obviously things can change quickly, like [against] Mansfield. So we've just got to stay focused and make sure we're putting in good performances.”

This weekend sees United, having beaten in-form Colchester, go to struggling Crawley Town, who are second bottom after three defeats from their last four.

It is the Blues’ longest trip of the campaign but one they should embark upon in confidence, McCalmont believes.

“We've got the confidence and we should have that belief,” he said.

“Because of how well we're doing in the league, we shouldn’t be fearing people – people should be fearing us when we come to them.

“But we're not going to get too ahead of ourselves. We have to take every game by game and no matter where they are in the league, we've got to take them seriously. But we've got to be going in with all the confidence.”

A second start must surely be likely for McCalmont in Sussex – and he fully intends to make the most of all the opportunities he gets.

“When you score and play well you just want the next game to come. I just want to make sure I put in good performances from now until the end of the season,” he said.

“I just want to be involved as much as I can. I want to help the team get promoted and if we can do that it would be a great summer.”