Super-sub Jack lifts young guns

JACK Laird emerged from the substitutes' bench to turn the game the way of Athletic's youth team, who defeated Carlisle 2-0 at home in the North-West section of the Youth Alliance.

The striker had a big impact, scoring twice for Tony Philliskirk's side in the latter stages to decide a scrappy encounter.

The first of his brace came from an inswinging corner by Andrew Crompton, something the team had been working on in training.

Laird struck the second across the goalkeeper and off a post after being played in by a reverse ball from Matty A Carr.

Schoolboy 'keeper Luke Simpson performed well for Athletic, who will be looking to improve their overall performance when they travel to play last season's champions Preston on Saturday.