The Cumbrians were without Tom Cowan so Paul Arnison came in as stand-in left back. With Kevin Gray still injured, Lee Andrews continued in central defence with Chris Billy taking the captain's armband. Andy Preece, Karl Hawley and Magno Vieira all began the game as Paul Simpson looked to make a positive statement of intent. United had the first effort on goal in the 4th minute when Magno Vieira drove just wide of the top corner after a decent flick on from Andy Preece. Another Preece lay-off a minute later saw Vieira running on goal again but his final ball was lacking. The home team began to play some fluent football, spraying the ball around but not creating any good chances. Chris Lumsdon beat two men cleverly and produced a shot that was blocked and then Hawley delivered a good cross to the far post that was just too high for Vieira. The lively Brazilian made a fine run a minute later to make space for a shot that was deflected away for a corner. From the kick, the ball fell for Arnison who fired well over. The Cherries then struck a post with a shot by Alan Connell after a sharp turn. A cross from Wade Elliott found Derek Holmes unmarked but the striker's header was held well by Matty Glennon. John Spicer's shot produced a great save from Glennon after Elliott put in a testing cross. Garreth O'Connor moved infield to deliver a shot across Glennon but just wide of the far post on 25 minutes. On the half-hour Billy had a great headed chance but it was blocked. Arnison did well to make a tackle and break up a strong Bournemouth attack with 2 minutes to the interval. Half-time brought no score, Carlisle having been under some pressure but looking increasingly composed as the game went on. A Vieira run and shot brought a corner with the first action of the second half. Bournemouth's first attack of the half brought the first goal. A quick break down the left brought a chance for Holmes who netted from the rebound to make the breakthrough. Shaun Maher headed wide from a Brian Stock free-kick. Elliott got through but shot straight at Glennon as the home team tried to extend their lead on 57 minutes. Vieira made a swift break after a ball through from Preece but his shot was narrowly wide. A Holmes header on 63 minutes from an Elliott cross floated across to Connell who nodded in the second goal. Vieira went off soon after to be replaced by Carlos Roca. Warren Cummings replaced Eddie Howe for the home side. An Elliott shot was comfortably held by Glennon. Roca put in a cross but Neil Moss grabbed it in front of Hawley. Stock fired narrowly over the bar for the Cherries. Hawley showed strength and fired a shot on target but Moss saved. Then McGill trotted off to be substituted with Craig Farrell. A Lumsdon free kick found Simon Grand's head 12 yards out but it floated well over the top. A Lumsdon curling high ball forced Moss to back pedal but the ball ended on the roof of the netting. Farrell delivered a through pass that Henderson was just beaten to by the onrushing Moss. Carlisle got a goal back with 3 minutes left when Farrell took the ball down and side footed the ball into the corner past Moss. Shelley's frustration boiled over and got booked as injury time started. As the final whistle blew, there was a mass confrontation as the players had to be pulled apart. Al's verdict: A fair result. Bournemouth played the better attacking football and United's three forwards didn't really gel. The home team spread the ball around and used their wingers better. United defended quite well until the second half when the home team's pressure paid off. As usual, we didn't give up the ghost and yet another sub in Craig Farrell gave us a bit of hope late on. At least, in the time-honoured fashion, we can now 'concentrate on the league'. Sometimes cliches make a bit of sense. |
