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After a couple of pints in the Munns Vaults five minutes walk from the ground, we wandered our merry way into the 250-or so strong away end behind the goal. The stadium consisting of three very similar all-seated stands, and a grass bank at the far end, although the main stand did look a little bit antiquated compared to the more modern structure on the other side of the pitch.
I'm telling you all this because there was very little football to actually discuss, United, with Danny Graham and Darren Campion sidelined through injury, fielding their strongest eleven in the first-half. Although with Graham out, along with long-term victim Joe Garner, it only highlighted once more Carlisle's lack of attacking options, Scott Dobie being the lone striker upfront today in the 4-5-1 formation as follows :
Scott Dobie
Simon Hackney - Marc B-W - Paul Thirlwell - Grant Smith - Cleveland Taylor
Evan Horwood - Peter Murphy - Danny Livesey - David Raven
Ben Williams
Erm, and then not much happened in the opening period, although Dobie and Hackney both wasted a couple of good shooting opportunities apiece, while Taylor hit the bar from 18 yards out after good work by Grant Smith. Both sides seeming to play within themselves as possession was often squandered in the most typical of pre-season matches, the only other thing of note from a Carlisle perspective being Hackney and Taylor swapping wings late in the half.
Partick had a couple of half-chances as well, and it's a shame that left-back isn't a position that we need to be looking to strengthen. That spot for Thistle being filled by Marc Twaddle who impressed greatly throughout, the former Falkirk man sticking in some excellent crosses from his flank, which were pretty much wasted by a weak Partick forward line.
The home side brought on Kevin McKinlay for Paul Paton at half-time while Blues boss John Ward made six changes to his starting line-up, United going 4-4-2 after the break as follows :
Gary Madine - Danny Carlton
Jeff Smith - Paul Thirlwell - Chris Lumsdon - Luke Joyce
Evan Horwood - Peter Murphy - Josh Gowling - David Raven
Ben Williams
The first thing I'll mention about the second-half is the slightly hit and miss catering, tiny steak pies being priced at £1.70 while massive hot dogs were retailing for £2.00. Not the most important of news you wouldn't have thought but when there is nothing happening on the pitch to report it at least bulks the news up a bit.
Thistle had their best chance of the game on 55 minutes when Williams, who is seemingly now first-choice between the sticks for Carlisle, flapped at a corner, but McKinlay was only able to hammer the loose ball over the top from close range. A second Partick substitution coming moments later when Stephen McKeown replaced Scott Chaplain.
United made their own change on the hour-mark when transfer-listee Kevin Gall came on for Thirlwell, Joyce then moving into the centre of midfield while Gall went out onto the right. It was all about substitutions now with Partick's Graeme Eaglesham on for Simon Donnelly after 70 minutes and Lumsdon off, with what looked like a lower back problem, shortly afterwards.
Connor Tinnion was the youngster sent in on place of Lumsdon, and as he moved to his traditional left-wing berth Jeff Smith then moved inside to cover Lumsdon's absence. What action of any interest there had been in the second period was now severly curtailed by the break up of play that the team changes produced.
Dan Wordsworth then coming on for Murphy at centre-half with fifteen minutes to go, that leaving goalkeeper Chris Howarth and midfielder Shaun Vipond as Carlisle's only unsued replacements on the day. The last substitution of the game being made by the home side on 82 minutes when Iranian midfielder Pedram Aradlany replaced ex-Blackburn man Gary Harkins.
And that was that really, the final whistle seeing a few boos coming from the away end, that coming after a few United fans had already disappeared off to the pub at half-time. As for the performance, well, same old same old, defence was strong, midfield needs to be a bit more creative, and we have no strength in depth upfront. More reinforcements needed please before Bristol Rovers in three weeks time.
Partick line-up :
Jonny Tuffey, Paul Paton (Kevin McKinlay 46), Marc Twaddle, Simon Storey, John Robertson, Ian Maxwell, Scott Chaplain (Stephen McKeown 55), David Rowson, Simon Donnelly (Graeme Eaglesham 70), Mark Roberts, Gary Harkins (Pedram Aradlany 82).
Unused substitutes :
Craig Hinchcliffe (GK), Willie Kinniburgh and Ricky Little.
Referee - Chris Boyle
Attendance - 1,235.