Hot prospects offer hope

WELL DONE, MATE: James Tarkowski is congratulated by his Athletic team-mates after opening the scoring.

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Athletic 2, Carlisle 1 Future looks brighter as young guns given their head

Athletic’s manager Paul Dickov has no option but to do more with less: scrimp, save, and let the home-grown players flourish next season.

They are both cheaper to keep and, potentially, far more valuable in future transfer fees when they leave. Against a disappointing and flat Carlisle side, Athletic’s tyros certainly shone.

There are, at least, reasons for careful optimism. Goals from James Tarkowski and Oumare Tounkara were enough to seal victory against one of the division's most impressive performers.

And around those strikes was a display full of vigour.

Almost as impressive as Tarkowski’s neat headed finish in the second half was his willingness to bark out instructions to others.

Smilarly elevated was the showing of 19-year-old Carl Winchester, who showed a pleasing calmness and authority.

Tom Taiwo’s equalising second-half header for the Cumbrians came against the run of play and was quickly answered in emphatic fashion by the re-energised Tounkara from a corner. From there on in, it was plain sailing.

Brown’s long throw saw Tarkowski leap decisively after 49 minutes, nodding the ball over Adam Collin to claim his first professional goal for the club with which he has risen through the ranks.

Carlisle rarely threatened before they equalised through substitute Taiwo.

More of the same next season, please — and more often.



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