Seven-one, 12-0, 9-3…there’s something in the water at Penrith AFC, where the goals are flowing faster than the River Eamont.

Darren Edmondson’s Northern League Division One side have suddenly hit the scoring trail in a big and remarkable away. The above results have all featured at Frenchfield Park since mid-November.

They have contributed to Penrith’s climb up the table and their present status as the division’s third highest scorers.

It has been a refreshing spell indeed for the club, who are perennial strugglers in Division One but are now laying on some serious entertainment for their supporters.

They have won their last five home games in the league whilst scoring 32 goals in the process. The surging run started with a 7-1 thrashing of Sunderland RCA on November 11, before Tow Law Town were obliterated 12-0 on December 9.

The more modest scorelines of 2-0 (against Heaton Stannington) and 2-1 (against Whitley Bay) also contributed to the winning run – then, on Saturday, Edmondson’s men pulverised Redcar Athletic with a 9-3 win which included six second-half goals.

Manager Edmondson, the former Carlisle United, Workington Reds and Barrow man, credits the impressive output to the recent arrival of some quality players, an improvement in those already in the ranks, and a growth in confidence which is now clear on Penrith’s new artificial pitch.

“It was bonkers,” he said of a Redcar game which saw Penrith 2-1 up after three minutes and level at 3-3 at half-time before cutting loose from there.

“It was 2-2 on 16 minutes. It was like a basketball game. Nobody had any control over it.

“That’s what we discussed at half-time. Myself and Richard [Prokas, assistant manager] discussed about changing the system…neither defence had a break, it was end to end…but in the end, we reflected that we’ve spoken a lot about controlling emotions and using the pitch to our advantage, and just moving the ball well.

“They [Redcar] are one of the highest scoring teams in the league, even though they’re lower mid-table like us, so I knew what it would be like.

“But then we scored really early in the second half, and it just went from there.”

The victory saw four goals from Connor Shields, a hat-trick from Connor Hammell and two from Luke Hunter, and the confidence in Penrith’s play was undeniable – something Edmondson admits has not always been plain.

“When you’re down there and results are going against you, it’s soul-destroying as a player,” he said. “You start to make mistakes you wouldn’t normally make, and that spirals.

“We went through October and November with a few games without a win and you don’t know where it’s coming from.

“Now, all of a sudden people are back fit, and Connor Hammell, Matty Bell and Lewis Moore from Workington Reds [the trio joined Penrith on dual registration terms in November] have raised the levels.

“The other lads are raising it with them.

“The squad is as big now as it’s been. That’s culminated with our last few home games. It’s now six wins on the trot at home in all competitions. We’re out of the woods and have beaten most teams down there, but we want to improve further and get up the table.

“The confidence is back and they’re aware that when they’re playing with tempo, and they’ve got forward runs and it’s positive, and they’ve also got composure on the ball, they can compete in any game.”

Penrith’s dozen-goal victory over Tow Law was particularly eyecatching and Edmondson says that was a crucial afternoon, even if the opposition were there for the taking.

“I know it was Tow Law’s first game for six weeks with a new manager and 11 new players, so we got them at the right time,” he said.

“But that was a catalyst for us.

"We were third bottom and they were second bottom. It was never a gimme, but that was the start, with the lads coming from Workington and adding some more quality, and other lads raising their game.

“Hopefully we can put some more points on the board. This form is a reflection of where they are. When everyone’s fit it’s not a bottom-four squad, I genuinely believe that.”

Penrith, who now have 51 goals from 21 league games and sit 15th, have rumbled into form on their newly-installed artificial pitch, which replaced the previous grass surface at the Leo Group Stadium.

The Bonny Blues are gradually adjusting to, and making the most of, their new environment.

“In our first few games on the pitch, we had some good sides against us,” said Edmondson. “We got beat 6-0 by Bishop Auckland who are top and are the best team physically and football-wise – they’re spending lots of money, they’ve got good players and will probably win the league.

“But through training on it twice and week and now playing on it regularly, we’re getting used to it. It’s unforgiving if your passing isn’t accurate but if you are composed, and your movement’s good, you can make the most of it.”

Among the plus points for Penrith in this hearty run has been Hammell, the former Carlisle United academy graduate who joined Workington last summer and is enjoying his football in a blue shirt again.

“He’s a lovely lad, he’s had his knocks in football, everybody’s aware of that, but he just wants to play football,” said Edmondson.

“That’s why he was happy to dual register with us. He just wants minutes. He’s come out and said he wants to stay until the end of the season, and we want to make the most of having him here.

“He’s got two hat-tricks and he’s a catalyst for us – he’s been brilliant.”