Although it was a big day of celebration for new Division 3 champions Doncaster, United still had plenty to play for, with anything less than a point not enough to guarantee finishing second bottom. Adam Rundle was drafted into the side on the left hand side. Kelvin Langmead and Will McDonagh replaced the released Richie Foran and Mark Boyd. Brendan McGill had something to celebrate too when he was named as the London Branch Player of the Season. David Pugh, in his last game as a league referee, decided to celebrate by booking Brian Shelley less than three minutes into the action. Paul Simpson tried his luck from 30 yards with United's first real attempt on 10 minutes. Carlisle had a penalty appeal turned down in the fifteenth minute when Murphy was tripped. Immediately McGill went down and was booked for diving. Shelley then found Andy Preece who produced a good right footed volley that was deflected wide for a corner. The Cumbrians were doing more of the attacking as the 20 minute mark passed. Albrighton headed over on 33 minutes when well placed. Michael McIndoe had a good chance when he was put through but put the ball wide and was penalised for offside anyway. Half-time saw no goals and a fairly even contest with perhaps a slight edge to the home team. Rundle and Will McDonagh combined to create a chance as McDonagh shot over the bar with 3 minutes elapsed in the second half. Rundle gave the ball away to Ryan who fired wildly over. Paul Arnison replaced McGill on 58 minutes. Greg Blundell shot at Glennon but the burly stopper made a comfortable save. Within a minute Rigoglioso could have scored but saw his shot blocked by a team-mate. Rigoglioso when worked a nice one-two with Blundell to bring a good save out of Glennon. On 65 minutes Lee Andrews was adjudged to have pulled a shirt inside the box as Pugh gave a spot kick. Blundell stepped up and Glennon did brilliantly to make his second consecutive penalty stop. Brown was booked for a foul on Arnison. Langmead had a penalty appeal turned down as he claimed to have been pulled back. As the game boiled over Dennis Booth was talked to by the fourth official. The breakthrough arrived when Blundell got on the end of a flick at the near post to put Donny ahead. Kevin Henderson returned to action after a long lay-off to replace Adam Rundle. Rigoglioso fired a free kick narrowly over the top as the game moved into the final 10 minutes. Cowan chipped over a tempting cross but Langmead's header was easily saved by Andy Warrington. Henderson put in a good shot that Warrington spilled but Donny tidied up. Ravenhill hacked down Simpson and was booked. Simpson's corner fell to Langmead whose shot was well blocked. A Simpson free kick was half-cleared to Preece who brought a good save out of Warrington. As the game went into stoppage time Michael Jack replaced Simpson. Al's verdict: A disappointing way to end the season but a result that went with form and the home team just about deserved it. It wasn't too tense a contest until the second half when it boiled over a little and the inconsistent refereeing of the mercifully now retired Mr Pugh helped Donny to their celebratory three points. The Cumbrians can hold their heads high and at least they didn't finish the season at the bottom. Next season will be a very different experience, hopefully this will extend to a better standard of officiating but I don't hold out too much hope. |
