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Carlisle United manager reacts to teenager's first-team debut
Paul Simpson has spoken of his delight at handing youth team player Aran Fitzpatrick his Carlisle United debut.
The 18-year-old came off the bench for his first senior outing in the 3-1 loss to Wycombe Wanderers.
The youngster’s first-team bow was a rare bright spot on an otherwise bad day for the relegated Blues as they slid to another defeat.
Fitzpatrick got his chance after being recalled from a loan spell at Workington Reds following an injury to Jack Robinson.
“I’m delighted for Fitzy that he’s had that opportunity,” said Simpson of the second-year youth team player.
Fitzpatrick replaced Jack Armer in the second half against Wycombe (Image: Ben Holmes)
“He gets an opportunity because of Jack Robinson getting injured last weekend. I didn’t want to risk Dylan McGeouch because he’s only had one day of full training – we’ll get another week with him and hopefully he’ll be available for Derby, I explained that to him before the game.
“I’m really pleased for Aran. Maybe it was a bit unfair at 3-1 down but I just thought, ‘Let’s get him on there’, and he showed some real energy and some good bits of work with his feet.”
Fitzpatrick is one of four youth players to be offered third-year scholarship deals to remain at United next season.
Josh O’Brien was on the bench for the Blues’ previous league game while Sam Hetherington and Jake Allan remain on loan at Workington – although could play against Reds for their parent club in tonight’s Fred Conway Cumberland Cup final.
The Wycombe game also saw the second professional appearance for young Ukrainian forward Anton Dudik, who came off the bench in the second half.
Anton Dudik, right, came off the bench against Wycombe (Image: Ben Holmes)
“It will do Anton good to get out there,” said Simpson.
“He looked a bit nervy but I thought it’s good to get them out there.
“But it shows the difference when we’re putting young Fitzy on, and Anton, and Wycombe were sticking Sam Vokes and David Wheeler and Matt Butcher on and this type of level of players.
“That unfortunately is where we are at the moment.”
