However Farnborough refused to lie down and they made it hard for United in a surprisingly testing encounter. The Hampshire side had lost their previous three games conceding 15 goals in the process but they showed plenty of spirit before succumbing to goals from David Beharall and Peter Murphy. Carl Gibbs had an early header for Town but Matty Glennon was firmly behind it. Chris Lumsdon set up Karl Hawley for a half-volley opening when he took a free kick quickly but Hawley's effort skimmed past the left post. Michael Johnson then delivered a dangerous cross but Kevin Gray intervened. Then on 9 minutes Adam Murray fired in a fierce shot that keeper Andy Petterson fisted away for a corner. Holmes then forced another save after a ball in from Hawley. On 21 minutes Hawley and Holmes laid on a chance for Murray who drilled it a bit too high. Farnborough had penalty claims turned down when Chris Billy appeared to handle. Then Petterson was forced into a brilliant double save from Hawley and Holmes, only for an offside decision to be belatedly given. Some poor United play on 39 minutes allowed Town to go close through Danny Allen-Page, who fired over the bar with his left foot. A rapid Hawley turn and shot produced an effort across goal and a yard wide after a quick free kick taken by Murray. The breakthrough came a minute later when Hawley played a good ball through to Beharall who chipped over Petterson and into the net to open the scoring. Danny Livesey had to go off early in the second half, with Beharral joining Gray in central defence and Paul Arnison coming on in his place. 56 minutes in and United doubled the lead when Peter Murphy lobbed Petterson to grab his 6th goal of the season. Hawley had a shot blocked on 66 minutes with United taking charge. Lumsdon then laid on a chance for Murray but Petterson pushed aside for a corner. Glenn Murray replaced Holmes with 18 minutes remaining. With 8 minutes left Arnison made a mistake with a poor header and as the ball bounced a foul was committed by Lumsdon on the edge of the box. The ref pointed to the penalty spot. Taggart stepped up and put the ball into the corner to make it 2-1. United had to be careful in the closing moments to keep the rejuvenated home side at bay. Al's verdict: A routine win that cements our play off place and should secure post-season action, but this wasn't Carlisle at their best. Farnborough showed plenty of fight in the opening half, playing well above their recent form and putting their off-field problems behind them. Once the first goal went in, United assumed a measure of control and the second goal from Murph virtually sewed it up. The late penalty made things tighter than they should have been, but Simmo will be happy enough with Woking and Accrington both losing, and Exeter dropping points. |
