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It couldn't have been a better start for United though as they took the lead after just 30 seconds through Mike Stewardson. Ashley Combe was the creator as he made space on the right-edge of the 'Pool area to stick a cross into the middle which Andy Hardman and Richie Hoban challenged the visitors defenders for. Neither player could win the ball cleanly but the ball broke through to Stewardson six yards out at the back-post and he was able to take a quick touch before drilling a left-footed shot into the ground and over the diving Tangerines keeper.
After seven minutes the 'Pool centre-forward tried a sharp shot across Grant Carson from 25 yards out but it was dragged well wide of the Blues far-post. Five minutes later Stewardson played a ball across the face of the visitors goal for the Cumbrians trialist 25 yards out, his left-footed drive was always flying well over though. The trialist, called Michael Dowson, showed some good touches in an attacking midfield role, and is apparently an under 16's player recently released by Middlesbrough. With 15 minutes gone Hardman stuck a 20-yard left-footed curler straight at the 'Pool keeper, then three minutes later left-back Matthew Blake fired a powerful drive in from distance which was well held by the visitors glovesman. United pressing on well in the early stages down the slight Frenchfields slope with the gusty wind at their backs.
On 20 minutes the 'Pool right-back fouled Stewardson 35 yards out on the left, Matthew Blake sticking the free-kick in to the far-post which broke out to Hardman on the right-angle of the box. Hardman hammered in a right-footed half-volley from there and was unlucky to see his shot fly inches past the Seasiders back-stick. Carlisle were making all the chances as they broke well from midfield, Hardman trying a quick one-two with Stephen Hindmarch only to see the ball ping straight back to him off the legs of a 'Pool defender, Hardman then hitting in a left-footed half-volley straight at the keeper from 15 yards out in the left-hand channel.
After 27 minutes Hardman, who was again in the thick of the action, tried a right-footed shot from distance which only dribbled across goal and wide of the far-post. Two minutes later and the visitors created their first real chance when the pacey right-winger got in a good cross to the back-stick which Combe headed over his own bar for a corner. The flag-kick came in from the 'Pool right-back and skipper, with the ball breaking out to their big centre-half who fired in a first-time half-volley inches wide of the Carlisle goal. Straight from there and United almost scored themselves, Hardman flicking on a long Carson goal-kick into the path of Hindmarch. The Blues striker raced onto the ball 22 yards out down the right-hand channel only for his lobbed shot to fly over the advancing keeper but also over the top of the Blackpool goal.
With 37 minutes on the clock a foul by Dan Wordsworth on the Seasiders striker saw the visitors earn a free-kick in a central position 25 yards out, the set-piece was wasted though as the number ten smashed his shot straight into the United defensive wall. Three minutes before the break Hindmarch made a great run forward as he beat three men and raced on down the left-hand channel, Hindmarch's low cross in just evading Hardman in the middle and flying out at the back-post for a Blackpool goal-kick.
The half-time break saw new Blues Head of Youth Eric Kinder replace Stewardson with youth team top scorer Dan Rayson. Three minutes in and Richie Hoban fouled the 'Pool left-winger 35 yards out, the free-kick being curled into nicely to the back-post only for their big centre-half to head a great chance wide from six yards out. It was United's turn to earn a set-piece two minutes later when Hindmarch was fouled 45 yards out, Terry Stewart launched the ball deep into the visitors penalty area but Hardman was unable to control his header on goal as the cross flew in just too high for him.
After 52 minutes Hardman sent a ball across to Hindmarch in the right-hand channel, Hindmarch cutting inside two defenders easily before firing in a left-footed shot from 15 yards out which flew back out of the keeper's legs, Hoban then heading the rebound wide from the edge of the 'Pool box. Four minutes later United doubled their lead when some great link-up play between Hoban and Hardman fed in Hindmarch down the right-wing. Hindmarch skinning the left-back and the centre-half as he ran down to the by-line, his low ball across goal finding Hoban, who had continued his run forward, at the back-post and he was able to bundle the ball home to make the score 2-0.
With 58 minutes gone the big 'Pool centre-half was booked for dissent, then bang on the hour-mark Stewart headed a Shaun Vipond corner over from eight yards out. Vipond was involved in the match at the other end sixty seconds later when he gave away a central free-kick 30 yards out, the visitors number nine curling a sweet right-footed shot, which Carson seemed to think was going over, onto the face of the United bar, Combe then able to hack the loose ball away from danger.
After 64 minutes the Seasiders left-winger cut in from his flank past Combe and drove in a 15-yard shot with his right foot, the ball losing pace as it deflected off the legs of Wordsworth and into the arms of Carson at his second attempt to hold onto the ball. The visitors were having a strong spell in the game now and a short corner between their skipper and right-winger caught the Cumbrians napping, the right-back crossing the ball into the far-post only for the big centre-half to miss another great close-range opportunity as he headed wide when it seemed easier to get his effort on target.
Midway through the second period the 'Pool defensive midfielder tried his luck from fully 30 yards out, but his left-footed shot was an easy one for Carson to take. And then the fun began, the Blackpool number nine showing his frustration at having a throw-in given against him by continuing play and upending Combe to win the ball, blonde-haired Wordsworth then coming in to remonstrate about the challenge only to get a forearm shoved against his chin. The Seasider was understandably red-carded but then it became farcical as firstly blonde-haired Matthew Blake was called over even though he was 40 yards away, only to be waved away as the referee and his young female lineswoman tried to work out who the United culprit was. Eventually, to much laughter from Blues players and spectators alike, the dark-haired Stewart was shown the yellow card for, in true A-Team style, a crime he didn't commit, utterly bizarre officiating to put it mildly.
With five minutes to go Hardman sent a volley wide at the near-post as he got on the end of a Vipond corner in, then sixty seconds later Vipond sent Hardman racing away down the right-hand channel. Hardman cutting in past the 'Pool substitute left-back only to get the ball stuck under his studs a little, his eventual flicked shot from close-range going straight into the gloves of the visitors keeper. The last action in the match came in the 89th minute when the Tangerines were reduced to nine men as their number five was sent off for foul and abusive language at the young lineswoman. The twice-said swearing at her came right in front of us and it beggared belief to be honest to see him protesting his innocence to the referee when the red card was waved in front of his face. The final whistle coming shortly afterwards on what was a good performance throughout from the Blues that brought a well-earned, and deserved, three points.
United line-up :
Grant Carson, Ashley Combe, Matthew Blake, Terry Stewart, Dan Wordsworth, Shaun Vipond, Richie Hoban, A Trialist (Matthew Wood 79), Andy Hardman, Stephen Hindmarch, Mike Stewardson (Dan Rayson 46).
Unused substitutes :
Connor Tinnion, Matthew Brown and Dale Wilson.
Results in the division this morning :
Burnley P-P Accrington Stanley
Bury 1-2 Wigan
Carlisle 2-0 Blackpool
Macclesfield 2-0 Shrewsbury
Oldham 4-2 Rochdale
Port Vale 1-2 Wrexham
Stockport 1-0 Chester
Walsall 2-0 Tranmere
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