Harvey Bunker, Carlisle United’s 23-year-old midfielder, said he was relieved to see the club’s season “get going” after a 4-1 win over Hornchurch in the National League. The victory, the team’s first of the campaign, came on Saturday at Brunton Park under new head coach Rob Elliot and followed a shock loss to Worthing on opening day and a 1-1 draw away to Yeovil Town.
Bunker’s Impact
Bunker, one of the new arrivals this season, has settled in quickly, scoring three goals in as many games. He netted an injury-time equaliser for Carlisle at Yeovil and then struck a double against Hornchurch. “It’s been really nice personally but I want to come here and help the team as much as I can to get promoted,” he told BBC Radio Cumbria.
Season Start
The club’s early results had been mixed, but the 4-1 triumph proved a turning point. Bunker said, “Unfortunately, it didn’t happen in the first game but I thought we performed really well against Worthing. That could have been a day where it started.” He added that it had taken three games to get the momentum, and the performance against Hornchurch showed what the side is capable of.
Future Ambitions
With Carlisle finishing third in the National League last season, the club is aiming for promotion back to League Two. Bunker expressed his eagerness to contribute: “I want to come here and help the team as much as I can to get promoted.” The midfielder’s early goal-scoring form and positive attitude suggest he will be a key player as the club pushes for a return to the Football League.
The 4-1 win over Hornchurch, with Bunker’s two goals, was a clear statement of intent from the newly coached side. The victory not only secured three points but also gave the players and supporters a tangible sense of progress after a slow start to the season.
