By DAVID COULTER

Published at 09:11, Monday, 20 August 2012

WARK teenager Bradley Potts made a convincing bid for a regular starting place for Carlisle United with a solid first team debut at the weekend.

Promising debut: Bradley Potts in cup action on Saturday.

The 18-year-old defender followed up impressive displays in United’s pre-season fixtures with a comfortable performance in their 1-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the Capital One Cup.

Potts, the son of Wark FC’s former prolific strike Howard, has caught the eye of the management team at Carlisle, quickly rising through the ranks at the npower League One side.

Last year, he was named youth team captain before being promoted to the reserve squad, where he again excelled.

Manager Greg Abbott has obviously spotted potential in the teenager, and showed he has full trust in Potts by throwing him in for the season opener.

Playing the full game in his first competitive senior appearance was an experience that will forever live with the youngster, and he is hoping that it was not just a one-off.

He said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to get 90 minutes and to play my first game for the first team.

“It was a tough test but that’s good because I want to try and prove myself. I want to see how I can do against players like that.

“I didn’t really think about the fact it was my debut before the match but I was really nervous before kick off. I wasn’t as nervous once I got into it and I was just pleased to be involved.

“I only found out I was playing on Friday when the team was named and we did a bit of shape work after that. I didn’t really expect to be playing before that, but I was delighted when he told us. It’s good that the manager has put his trust in me and I just want to do well and try and stay in the team now.”

Despite a solid display, Potts said that he has still some way to go before cementing a place in the starting XI.

“To be fair, the gaffer wasn’t as pleased with my performance as he was after the pre-season matches, but all I can do is learn from it.

“The gaffer and Graham Kavanagh have told me just to play with confidence and to keep doing what I’ve been doing, and I think I’ve tried my best to do that.

“I had Danny Livesey and Mike Edwards beside me and they helped me through. They kept talking to me and it was really good to have them there.

“The more time I get on the pitch hopefully the better I’ll get.

“It was my biggest test so far because it was a competitive match, but it was a great experience and I’m looking forward to doing it more.”

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