Carlisle United No2 on Workington Reds game and conditions

Borough Park was lashed with heavy rain for most of the afternoon as the Blues won 3-0 in their third pre-season friendly.

Assistant manager Skelton admitted the weather was a challenging aspect of the day but suggested that was no bad thing.

“It was a good, competitive workout,” he said.

“The conditions weren’t ideal but sometimes that contributes to a quicker tempo game.

“In the season, will you get hot sunny days with dry pitches? No. So in terms of realism that’s what we got.”

• Jon Colman's big match verdict on Workington Reds 0-3 Carlisle United

United went ahead late in the first half through Jack Ellis, before Alfie McCalmont and Jordan Gibson added more after the break.

Skelton said there were good aspects to the Blues’ display but others where they need to improve.

“We were pleased with it at times but, as ever, we want more,” said Paul Simpson’s No2.

“I thought we were a little bit passive in the way we started the game in terms of how we pressed and moved the ball.

“When we got it right we created opportunities, and you saw at the start of the second half that we wanted to be a bit more forceful in how we went about it in and out of possession.

“We scored goals because of that, so overall it was a pleasing performance.”

Owen Moxon on the run for United (Image: Barbara Abbott)

United have scored 12 goals in their opening three pre-season games, their win in west Cumbria following victories over Annan Athletic and Gretna 2008.

Skelton, though, feels the Blues need to be more ruthless behind enemy lines as they progress closer towards the league season.

“The quality, especially in the final third…we’re conscious it’s something we have to improve on,” he said.

“We got into some really good areas and perhaps didn’t work the keeper as much as we should have, or took the wrong option.

“But we’re reasonably pleased. It is pre-season and you’d expect it to be better as we go along.

“I think they’ll be really good this year, Workington. They’ve got a few players missing, a few coming back but I thought we were quite comfortable, really, and disappointed maybe not to add a few more.”

• Typical pre-season weather! Pictures of Reds v Blues under torrential rain

United are now preparing for a pre-season training camp at the University of St Andrews this week, which will also include a behind-closed-doors game against Scottish opposition whose identity has not yet been confirmed by the Blues.

They head to Scotland in good physical shape after their early pre-season work, Skelton said.

“The physical output was good [at Workington] and the more games you have, the more quality you want alongside that.

Jordan Gibson, centre, and Jon Mellish, right, both played the full 90 minutes (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“There was a little bit more quality, and a bit more physical output in terms of a lot of lads getting 60 minutes, and they looked strong after half-time which is pleasing.”

While Simpson largely split his squad in terms of 60 minutes for some and 30 for others, two players completed the full game.

Jon Mellish and Jordan Gibson got 90 minutes under their belts and Skelton said: “Mells can just run all day and Jordan’s looked good in pre-season fitness-wise and it’s a chance to look at him in a different position.

“In terms of 60-30 that will probably change with the training game this week.”