County cup holders, Carlisle United, became the first team to reach the semi-finals of this year’s competition following a very comfortable 3-0 victory over Northern League second division visitors Whitehaven Amateurs.

Three headed goals secured their progress at Brunton Park on Monday evening and the victory margin might have been even more emphatic had the young Blues taken more of the many chances which came their way.

Luke Joyce opened the scoring on the half hour when he timed his run to head home Kevin Gall’s pin-point cross.

Whitehaven’s best two chances came in the first half but Craig Robson saw a sweetly struck 25 yarder tipped over the bar by United ‘keeper Alex Mitchell and Graeme Lilly’s weak header was comfortably saved.

United doubled their lead nine minutes into the second half with Gall once again the provider.  He crossed from the right and Andy Cook was given time and space to place his downward header beyond Craig Routledge.

Cook had a certain goal denied when his shot was deflected to safety by the grounded Lilley then Routledge saved twice to thwart Gall.

Their third goal was rather fortunate with Whitehaven’s Craig Lewis headed past his own ‘keeper following Gall’s teasing corner.

Whitehaven, with several key players absent, gave the ball away too frequently and rarely troubled the Carlisle teenagers who were supplemented by senior players Lumsdon, Joyce and Gall.

The other three quarter final ties are due to be played in early March.

Whitehaven are on a poor run of form at the moment and on Saturday had gone down 2-0 at home to Brandon United in a League clash at the County Ground. Matt Hornsby put the visitors ahead on 14 minutes from the penalty spot while victory was wrapped-up with a late goal from Paul Dixon.

In the Northern League First Division Penrith enjoyed their first win since early October when they beat Morpeth with a last minute goal.

After an even contest between two well-matched sides Wayne Robertson headed in the winner but there were some frantic moments in stoppage time as the Cumbrians had skipper Mark Jones sent-off.

There’s an attractive game in prospect for Penrith on Saturday when they host League leaders Consett while Whitehaven travel to Whickham in Division Two.

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