Keswick manager Mike Frampton hoped his players would “take a lot” from a spirited display in their Fred Conway Cumberland FA Senior Cup quarter-final tie against Penrith AFC, despite suffering a 3-0 defeat.
Frampton admitted he thought it was going to be a long afternoon for his players at Crosthwaite Road after visitors Penrith went ahead just 50 seconds after the first whistle had sounded.
But a dogged home defensive display from his side prevented their Northern League first division opponents from extending that lead until the 75th minute before a third was added with 90 minutes on the clock.
“Early on I thought it was going to be a long day,” said Frampton. “We played really well. I was really happy with it. We had a few players away and it makes you think if they’d have played it would have been even tougher (for Penrith)
“I was pleased with the fitness. We faded a bit in the end but we had a good spell and I was really happy with it. I think they’ll take a lot from it. After the previous week when we got beat we just need a bit of confidence. That’s only the second game we’ve played in months. You can tell the players are really happy with it.
“It’ll stand our players in good stead, definitely. If we can get all our players back for the rest of the season, take confidence from that, we’ve got a chance of the league.”
Keswick host Kirkoswald in the High Sheriff’s Cup this Saturday and are then due to resume their JMP Westmorland League Division I campaign on February 25 when they entertain Sedbergh & Dent United.
“Then we’ll see what the fixtures bring for March,” said Frampton, whose team are third in the league table behind leaders Appleby and second placed Wetheriggs United but have games in hand over both.
“After nearly getting relegated last season, this year we’re right back up there. We want to try and win the league,” said the manager. “There’s a lot of teams that will say the same thing. We’re up there, it’s in our own hands but it’s in a few folks’ hands.”
Penrith boss Darren Edmondson said after Saturday’s game: “Credit to Keswick. They worked so hard as they always do.
“I know they had some boys missing as well which I think is where culture is now in the non-league game – that grassroots lads would rather go away for weekends than represent their home town.
“It’s not killing the Cumberland Cup, but today would have been a lot tougher game had they had everybody available. That’s the way it goes. We’re happy to be in the next round and we’ll take the positives from this game.”
Keswick 0, Penrith AFC 3
Alfie Brunskill gave Penrith the perfect start with a right-footed shot beyond home keeper John Philips and into the net with just 50 seconds on the clock.
Luke Brown almost doubled the away side’s advantage as he thumped a shot from 22 yards against Philips’ right hand upright.
DJ Taylor was a constant threat to Keswick down the left wing early on. With 10 minutes gone, Taylor cut in from the left and saw a low shot saved. Ninety seconds later he pulled the ball back to James Best, whose powerful shot clipped the crossbar and went over.
Keswick struggled to trouble teenager Harvey Reay in the Penrith goal, their best half-chance before half-time coming when Richard Bannister lofted a shot into his arms.
After visiting striker Matthew Foster was then upended just outside the penalty area, Best hammered a free kick into the Keswick defensive wall.
Brunskill then saw a shot smothered by Philips seven minutes before the interval.
Keswick twice failed to capitalise early in the second period following poor clearance kicks by Reay. A shot by George Frampton was then deflected behind for a corner.
But it was Keswick’s dogged defending which impressed and this prevented Penrith from making the game safe until the closing stages.
With 15 minutes remaining, Brunskill’s pass picked out substitute Jonny Murray, who rolled his marker and produced an unerring finish with a shot across Philips and into the far corner of the net.
Young Penrith left back Reon Morrison then made it 3-0 in the final minute of normal time, poking home his first senior goal of the season after Keswick failed to clear a corner.
Keswick: Philips, Cumber, Clark, Reilly, Beechey, Rankin Frampton, Robson, Bannister Abbott, Little. Subs:
Penrith: H. Reay, Tait, Morrison, Murray-Jones, Crews, Moynan, Taylor, Brown, Foster (Murray), Best (Hunter), Brunskill (O. Reay). Sub not used: Main.
