WARRINGTON Town got their pre-season campaign underway with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Football League Two side Carlisle United in front of a healthy crowd of over 300 at Cantilever Park.
Three first half goals, including a stunner from Bermuda international midfielder Reggie Lambe, were more than enough for the full-time outfit, whose superior fitness showed.
There were first outings in Warrington colours for a number of close season signings, including striker James Dean, wingers Sean Clancy and Scott Harries, and defender Andy Nicholson.
Familiar faces Karl Wills, Ciaran Kilheeney, James McCarten, Danny Ventre, Daniel O’Donnell and Gerard Kinsella all made starts, as did the returning Mike Grogan.
It took 11 minutes for Carlisle to hit the front, Jason Kennedy heading home from a Shaun Miller cross.
Their lead was doubled shortly after the half hour mark, when captain Danny Grainger converted from the spot after a penalty was awarded for handball.
Lame provided the game’s defining moment with a stunning strike from 35 yards that beat a full-stretch Wills in to his top right corner, and Carlisle led 3-0 at half time.
Both sides made changes at the break, with the visitors fielding two trialists.
Warrington at least managed to restore some pride in the second half, though Carlisle did add a fourth when Charlie Wyke collected the ball in the box and hammered home.
Warrington are next in action away at Brickfield on Saturday.
New signing James Dean Picture John Hopkins
Gerard Kinsella – Picture John Hopkins
Warrington Town: Wills, Grogan, Nicholson, Ventre, McCarten, O’Donnell, Harries, Kinsella, Kilheeney, Dean, Clancy. Subs: Gillespie, Deegan, Young, Rudge, Codling, Smith, Kale, Flay.
Carlisle United: Gillespie, Grainer, Ellis, Kennedy, Jones, Adams, Brisley, Devitt, Lambe, S Miller, T Miller. Subs: Trialist, Atkinson, Brough, Trialist.
