All too easy

26/12/1972 a Boxing Day, a bright but chilly day in Carlisle as Preston travelled to the northern outpost only to return with tails between legs as the home side handed out a 6-1 thrashing, I was there that day and the mental anguish of that hammering has now finally been erased as North End hammered a woeful Carlisle side 6-1 at Deepdale today.
North End took a 10th minute lead, when Gallagher's free kick was headed home by Beavon, ten minutes later it was two as Lee Holmes weaved his way past five United defenders only to be denied by the keeper, the ball ran loose and Browne had the easy job of tapping in from two yards out.
North End were starting to play with confidence and were only denied further goals by Carlisle keeper Pickford. Two goals down and seemingly out of the game Carlisle reduced the arrears five minutes before half time when Madine headed home from a corner with North End's defence sadly lacking. The goal spurred United on and North End managed to avoid further mishaps before half time though it was a close run thing.
Within three minutes of the restart, Carlisle had gone further behind, hapless goalkeeping by Pickford presented the home side with what should have been an easy chance eventually Holmes netted. (3-1)
Nine minutes later it was game over as Craig Davies's scruffy finish made it four, although it has to be said the build up was superb. (4-1)
Carlisle fans started to leave at this point.
With the game dead and buried North End turned on the style, Pickford stopping a stunning effort from a Gallagher pile driver. Another scruffy finish by Craig Davies made it 5, eleven minutes from time after a sweet passing move, before he completed his hat trick with a fine individual goal three minutes from time, flicking the ball past the centre back before blasting home from 20 yards. (6-1)
There was still time for the Davies Craig and Kevin both too go close but can't complain too much about today's performance.

Preston North End 6 Carlisle United 1 Att 11428