With the game kicking off half an hour after rival Barnet's fixture with Dagenham & Redbridge, the Cumbrians were aware of the Bees' two-goal lead as the game got under way. With Chris Lumsdon not risked, United started with an unchanged side from the team who hammered Leigh 6-1 on Tuesday. Exeter earned the first corner in the 4th corner after a sliding tackle by Lee Andrews on Alex Jeannin. Steve Flack got on the end of the ball at the near post but nodded narrowly wide. United earned their first corner a minute later when Murphy's kick cleared everybody and was returned in by Billy, the ball falling for Murphy again who fired a yard over. Arnison collected Andrews' throw-in and delivered a ball to Hawley. The striker's lay off found Murphy who fired narrowly wide. Then Magno Vieira had a shot on the turn saved by Martin Rice. Billy fired over the bar on 12 minutes as United continued to show confidence to shoot on sight. Jeannin and Taylor tested out Glennon with useful crosses, mindful of his error on Tuesday night, but the burly keeper was up to the task. A foul on Arnison in the 23rd minute earned United a free kick in a threatening position but Murphy's kick was well over. Seconds later Jake Edwards was brought down by Simon Grand just outside the box and the tall defender was booked. Jeannin's effort was booted off the line by Grand. Then Edwards poked the ball at the onrushing Glennon who saved well. Kwame Ampadu went into the book as United broke upfield and the ref controversially stopped play as Brendan McGill ran on to put the ball in the net. On 35 minutes Tom Cowan went off to be replaced by Craig Farrell, the left back seemingly having picked up a knock. Flack collected a booking 2 minutes from half-time for a foul on Grand. McGill laid on a chance for Farrell who shot a foot or so wide with his first opportunity. Half-time saw a scoreless situation, with United having more possession but few good chances and the home side looking dangerous on set-pieces. Afful beat Murphy early in the second period to set up a chance which he floated narrowly wide of the far post. Gray made a good challenge inside the box to deny Edwards as Exeter put United under a bit of pressure. Carlisle were not finding the fluency of the first half and were unable to press Exeter back. Experienced striker Sean Devine replaced Jake Edwards on 64 minutes. Glennon leapt to tip over another Exeter corner as the home team continuted to pose a threat from set plays. Taylor's corner was met by Flack who headed against the outside of the upright. Santos headed wide from six yards out as another Taylor free kick almost caught out United. Glennon made a fine save to keep Exeter out as the pressure increased. Henderson came on for the Cumbrians. Farrell had a shot that was just wide as United tried to turn the tables on the dominant home team. Murphy's free kick found Farrell's head 12 yards out but the sub failed to place his header and it flew off target, as the game moved into the final four minutes. Jeannin fired over the bar with his left foot from 25 yards out with a minute of the 90 remaining. Danny Clay collected a yellow for kicking the ball away. A minute was added on but strangely 3 minutes played as the Cumbrians kept their unbeaten record going. Al's verdict: An excellent defensive performance this, showing we can battle for a point when the need arises. We'll look back at this game and reckon it was a point well won when we analyse it at the end of the season. Our creative side didn't really show today but Glennon, Gray and Grand, the three G's, were outstanding in keeping Exeter out. We lost something when versatile Tom Cowan had to go off, but all in all, we won't be too disappointed with the 0-0 outcome. |
