A Calvin Okike goal with his first touch in professional football sealed the points for Hartlepool United in an emphatic 3-1 win against high-flying Carlisle United at the Prestige Group Stadium in the Enterprise National League. 

Tyrese Sinclair’s goal early in the first half placed Pools in the ascendancy before Alex Reid doubled the lead straight after the break. Following Harvey MacAdam’s red card at the hour mark, Okike made it three goals to the good for the hosts on 80 minutes, with Georgie Kelly getting on the scoresheet for Carlisle minutes later.

Nicky Featherstone made three changes from last weekend’s 4-3 victory away to Solihull Moors, giving starts to Nathan Sheron, Matty Daly and Tom Parkes for the clash against the Cumbrians. After a long-term knee injury, Vadaine Oliver returned to the squad for the first time since the end of October.

12 minutes in, Sinclair put Pools in front with a sensational solo run to make it three goals in the last two games. An audacious first touch over Jack Ellis set the winger on his way from the halfway line, who then brushed past Bevis Mugabi in the box before tucking his effort into the right corner from a tight angle.

Pools continued to apply pressure during the first period, with Sinclair and Cameron John combining expertly throughout, and almost had another on 44 minutes. After an error from Gabriel Breeze, Sheron picked up the ball and found Sinclair, whose curling strike just evaded the top-right corner.

Moments before half-time, John capped off a strong run into the box with a fizzing cross which troubled the Blues’ back line; his effort on the rebound dragged inches wide of the bottom-right corner.

Pools kept up the momentum after the break, and it didn’t take long for their advantage to be doubled – Reid making it two goals in as many games only a minute into the half. Daly guided the ball into the path of the striker, who rifled home into the bottom-left corner on the half-volley.

The visitors threatened as the half progressed – calling Jay Benn into action with a last-ditch tackle and Tom Parkes with a goal-line clearance – but matters got worse for Mark Hughes’ side when MacAdam was sent off on the hour mark, receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Sinclair.

In the 77th minute, Calvin Okike, only 15 seconds after coming on for his Pools and professional debut, made it three for the hosts, firing home on the rebound of Sam Folarin’s powerful strike with his first touch of the match.

However, Carlisle responded minutes later as Morgan Feeney’s neat flick slipped through Kelly, who slotted home into the bottom left corner from inside the box.

The home side could have had a fourth on 85 minutes, Jack Hunter’s close-range attempt drifting wide following a scramble in the box, but saw out the 3-1 victory to make it back-to-back league wins.

Pools: Hayes, Benn, John, Parkes, Kouogun, Sheron (Oliver 90+2′), Hunter, Miley (Holohan 72′), Reid (Folarin 72′), Daly (Campbell 72′), Sinclair (Okike 75′)

Unused subs: Smith, Johnson

Goals: Sinclair (12′), Reid (48′), Okike (77′)

Attendance: 4812