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Chris Howarth had to make a couple of early saves for United but they netted the first goal of the game on 20 minutes through Luke Joyce. Michael Bridges setting up Gary Madine for a shot which was well stopped by Hartlepool goalkeeper Mark Cook only for Joyce to sneak in and knock the rebound home from close range.
Just before the half-hour mark United made it 2-0 when Jonny Blake's cross in from the right was well taken by Michael Bridges. The Blues striker then executing a perfect volley as he looped his shot over the top of Cook and into the far corner of the Hartlepool net.
Jack Sharples was on hand for the home side to clear Madine's header from a corner, with Jonny Rowell then chipping over Howarth but inches wide as the scoreline remained at 2-0 at the break. Carlisle then making their only substitution of the match on 53 minutes when Connor Tinnion came on for Joyce at The Ron Greig Stadium, Billingham Town.
Five minutes after the arrival of Tinnion it was 3-0 when Madine found himself clear down the middle before lifting a shot over Hartlepool's Cook and into the back of the net. The home side then having their best chance when Josh Gowling had to nod off the line when Michael Mackay picked up on the rebound after Howarth had saved Matty Tymon's effort.
Madine and Bridges then both had shots saved by Cook before Grant Smith did make it 4-0, the United midfielder getting on the end of a through ball from Bridges to surge through the middle and slot easily home. The last word though went to Hartlepool when they scored in injury time, Mackay forcing home a shot after a cross in from the right by Martin Young.
So a resounding win for the Blues second-string this afternoon means they have got their Central League Cup campaign off to a flyer. It's back to league action next Monday though when Carlisle take on last season's title winners, in Morecambe, at Brunton Park.
Hartlepool line-up :
Mark Cook, Martin Young, Jack Sharples, Paul Johnson, Joe Tait, Mark Ellison, Callum Martin, Jonny Rowell, Matty Tymon, Michael Mackay, Gary McRoberts (Billy Blackford 53)
Unused substitutes :
Nick Thomas (GK), Lee Mason, Jaq Quantrill and Darryl Scaife.
United line-up :
Chris Howarth, Jonny Blake, Matt Duffy, Richard Keogh, Josh Gowling, Grant Smith, Luke Joyce (Connor Tinnion 53), Ronnie Wallwork, Michael Bridges, Gary Madine, Jeff Smith.
Unused substitutes :
Alex Mitchell (GK), Tom Aldred, Andy Cook and Simon Lakeland.
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