Young guns win a seven-goal thriller

Photo: Pictures by ANDREW SCHOFIELD.

DANGER MAN . . . Philip McGrath shoots at goal.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

LATICS NEWS: 

ATHLETIC’S youth team made a triumphant return to league action following a weather-enforced six-week break.

Despite fielding several under-16 and first-year players in their team, Athletic played some fluent, attacking football to defeat Carlisle 4-3 at Chapel Road.

Said coach Tony Philliskirk: “It was typical of us, really, as we are the second leading scorers in the league, but have the fifth worst defensive record.

“You can usually expect goals in our matches, but I thought we played really well after our break since mid-December and we created enough chances to have scored more goals.

“We also had to do without Tom Eaves, who was on duty for the first team, which was great to see.”

The teams were level at 2-2 at half-time, but the second period saw Athletic assume command and score two more goals before conceding an 88th-minute penalty which Carlisle converted.

Despite bombarding Athletic’s goal for the rest of the game, the visitors were unable to equalise and it was Philliskirk’s team who deservedly secured three points.

Athletic’s goalscorers were Djeny Bembo-Leta (2), Philip McGrath and Andy Crompton.