Zoko hits winner as Carlisle Utd beat Middlesbrough in friendly
Published at 07:42, Friday, 30 July 2010
New signing Francois Zoko scored Carlisle United’s winner from the penalty spot in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Middlesbrough yesterday.
Carlisle fans will get their first glimpse of Zoko since he agreed to join the club on a one-year deal when he plays in their final friendly against Hibs at Brunton Park on Sunday (2pm).
Zoko, who played at the tip of a diamond formation midfield against Middlesbrough, won the penalty himself on 45 minutes in the practice game at the Championship club’s training ground at Rockliffe Park, near Darlington.
He was joined in the side by understudy keeper Tony Caig and first team players like Peter Murphy, Kevan Hurst and Matty Robson.
Spanish trialists Jose Maria Cases and Edgar Chumillas Lopez, two former Villareal midfielders, were both handed the chance to impress assistant manager Graham Kavanagh, who was in charge.
The arrival of Zoko, a former Ivory Coast under-23 international who has spent his career in France and Belgium, took Greg Abbott’s summer signing spree to six players after a major rebuilding programme.
The Carlisle boss also hopes to sign a defender on loan to act as cover for Danny Livesey, who faces three months on the sidelines with a groin injury.
Abbott was planning to speak to Sunderland boss Steve Bruce about Jean-Yves M’voto and his Burnley counterpart Brian Laws about Kevin Long after both defenders impressed while on trial.
Long played in pre-season friendlies against Darlington and Falkirk and is also wanted by MK Dons.
United cruised to a 3-0 victory over Darlington last Friday night and a late equaliser from teenager Andy Cook – also on target against the Quakers – earned them a 1-1 draw at Falkirk on Wednesday.
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