There was little to crow about for Cumbrians with five players booked and three second half strikes, one of them a penalty, leaving United pointless on their travels since the trip to Lincoln on August 17. Michael Taylor, signed from Blackburn yesterday, made his debut in defence with Lee Andrews out through injury. Brian Shelley switched to left back to allow Mark Birch to play on his favoured right side. The first half was devoid of good goal scoring chances but Carlisle defended impressively with Taylor looking solid alongside the aerial dominance of Darren Kelly. Alan Connell headed over on 19 minutes following a left wing cross for the Cherries. Taylor went into the book for a late challenge. Marcus Browning followed him in soon after. Chuki Eribenne was brought on to replace Michael Holmes. A Garreth O'Connor volley from distance was well cleared by Taylor standing on the six-yard line. Richie Foran added yet another yellow to his growing collection for failing to retreat at a free kick. Roddy Collins reacted by throwing his jacket into the dug-out in apparent disgust. In a niggly half, United created little of note but lively Brian Wake turned well on 29 minutes and forced a good save out of Neil Moss. Then with five minutes left in the half a good cross by Brendan McGill landed on his head but the ball flew over when he should have done better. United suffered a blow early in the second half when a spectacular Eribbenne over head kick caught Foran in the face who had to go off, apparently suffering concussion. Shorn of their consistent attacking threat, United seemed to retreat and the home team took charge. A corner on 62 minutes led to the opening goal when the ball was hooked back in and Jason Tindall had time to turn and volley in from six yards. Murphy came on for Wake. United responded with a good pass from Shelley that found McGill and from his cross Will McDonagh had a chance with a header but Moss claimed it. On 77 minutes the killer goal arrived when Kelly was adjudged to have handled an Alan Connell cross. Connell took the kick himself and placed the ball powerfully into the top corner. Keen had to rescue Kelly soon after when the central defender was caught in possession but the keeper made a good block. Mark Summerbell became the fifth United player to get a card and on 85 minutes substitute Brian Stock made it three-nil with an easy finish after an Eribbenne cross bounced past Keen. There was a late consolation when Murphy took down the ball skilfully at the far post and beat his man before drilling home. Al's verdict: A disappointing second half after a solid opening. Bournemouth upped the pace and took charge once Foran went off the field injured. Another patched up side did pretty well to hold together comfortably enough in the first period with Taylor making a solid debut. But discipline started to slip again and another five bookings will mean more suspensions won't be far away. Not good news with all our injury worries. |
