CarlisleGoals -
1-0 OG (2)
2-0 Beharall (63)
3-0 Ferris (65)
4-0 Hardman (86)
5-0 Ferris (89)

After the long journey north to Brunton Park, Joey Jones' boys suffered an early setback against their much more experienced hosts and trailed after just two minutes.

Jamie McClen, who had started very brightly, found Dillon on the overlap and he headed towards the penalty area with purpose. Choosing to shoot early, something the United management team have been encouraging of late, he connected well but looked to have sent his grass cutter off target.

However, Gareth Evans, racing back to cover, felt that he had to try to clear the danger and succeeded only in deflecting the ball in to his own net to give the early advantage to the Cumbrians.

A game played out largely in midfield saw just three more chances created in the opening half hour, the first one being a spectacular overhead kick from Simon Grand.The Dragons had real trouble clearing their lines and the ball fell nicely for him on the edge of the area, and he went for glory only to be denied by the cross bar.

Glenn Murray also hit the woodwork, this time the post, in the 15th minute when he cut in towards goal and shot across Mullock. With the keeper beaten it was just the base of the upright that prevented a second goal.

Matt Done had the best chance of the half for the visitors shortly after when he forged a path through the defence, but Westwood was able to watch the shot glide comfortably wide as he kept his angles well covered.

As half time approached, Peter Murphy thought he'd doubled the lead when he picked up a good pass from Beharall. As he approached the edge of the 18 yard box he unleashed a fierce drive that Mullock did well to get to. With part, but not all, of the ball over the line the referee was right to wave play on and the keeper was congratulated on a good save by his team mates, leaving Murphy to ponder what might have been.

Half Time: United 1 - 0 Wrexham

It had been a game played out largely in midfield prior to the break and that was the way it would continue as neither side really stamped their authority.

However, the woodwork was called in to play for a third time in the 53rd minute, when Lee Andrews picked the ball up on the wing and lofted it in to the area. It was one of those swirling, difficult to deal with crosses and Mullock was relieved to see it bounce off his bar.

After a slow start United began to up the pace a bit and Gardiner did well as he broke in from the left, having controlled a raking McClen pass beautifully. Mullock fumbled the drive but help was on hand to swipe it away just as Glenn Murray raced in.

United coach Billy Barr brought Andy Hardman on for Rob Bainbridge in the 61st minute and this signaled yet another increase in the tempo from a Carlisle side growing in stature.

It was Hardman who started the move that led to the second goal in the 63rd minute when he made space and found McClen. The midfielder picked his spot and delivered a precise cross that David Beharall was able to direct towards the nets with his head.ullock managed to get his hand to it but it was well placed, and there was little he could do to prevent it from dropping in to the goal.

If the second goal was about team work then the third one came down to individual skill as Pete Ferris took the breath away with an absolute corker. Showing all the signs of a player brimming with confidence he had no hesitation in shooting when he ran on to the ball 35 yards from goal.Mullock made an effort, but that was all it could ever be as it arrowed its way towards the back of his goal.

Wrexham tried to get forward more as the last 15 minutes of the second half came, but it was still the home side who looked the more likely to increase the goal tally.

Gardiner tried his luck from distance as the Dragons subs took time to settle and both he and Ferris were having some amount of joy when working the flanks and getting forward.

The predatory Andy Hardman was also proving to be a thorn in the side for the opposition defence and he was close to converting another Ferris cross in the 79th minute, denied by the blocking challenge of two defenders.

Gardiner went in the book, rather harshly, as Wrexham started to battle it out but Carlisle were playing like a team who know the game is theirs, and were dominating the goal mouth action.

Murphy found Hardman in the 82nd minute, when he cleared a Wrexham corner and the youngster had plenty to do to turn defence in to attack, with two markers on his tail as he set off from the half way line. He stayed strong and made his way in to their area, shooting just wide as his shirt was constantly tugged.

The visitors finally created a decent chance when Edwards rose to connect with a dipping cross just 8 yards from goal. Westwood was alert and was down quickly to gather it and preserve his clean sheet. Done was next to test the young keeper but it was a comfortable save this time.

The 86th minute brought another fantastic goal for the Cumbrians when Andy Hardman set himself up to volley from 19 yards out. He kept his eye on the ball, steadied his shooting position and crashed it past Mullock with some amount of style.

United were hungry for more and they capitalised on a demoralised visiting back line yet again when Kirkup created an opening for Pete Ferris with just one minute left on the clock, and from 16 yards out he made it 5-0, with a smart finish that brought a big round of applause from the Reserve team fans.

United: Keiren Westwood, Lee Andrews, Peter Murphy, Dan Kirkup, Simon Grand, Jamie McClen, Dillon (Paul Gardiner 46), David Beharall, Rob Bainbridge (Andy Hardman 61), Pete Ferris, Glen Murray.

Wrexham: Chris Mullock, Mark Harris (Graham Roche 76), Matty Done, Simons Spender, Gareth Evans, Mike Williams, Andy Fleming, Levi Mackin, Jamie Reed, Marc Williams, Chris Evans (Sion Edwards 74).

www.carlisleunited.co.uk