Steve Soley returned from suspension to reclaim his midfield berth alongside captain Stuart Whitehead, Jonny Allan dropping down to the bench. Ian Stevens's hamstring was troubling him again so Steve Halliday came in up front. The first real effort came from United in the 8th minute. A Soley free-kick beat the wall and was well claimed down by the left-hand post by keeper Stuart Brock. Two minutes later full back Mark Birch joined the attack effectively by collecting Soley's pass and firing low and hard but Brock was again equal to it. Almost immediately Kiddy launched their first proper attack and Adie Smith got up highest to head home from the far-post, the ball bouncing over keeper Peter Keen. United almost got on level terms within two minutes when Foran chased a Stuart Green free-kick and beat the keeper to it. In the ensuing scramble Soley and Green were involved but referee Hill decided to award a free kick. Kiddy's Ian Clarkson received treatment after the incident and rejoined the fray. Carlisle got another free kick when tall defender Abdou Sall blatantly pushed over Foran just outside the box. 26 minutes in Richie Foran found Michael Jack and the youngster played the ball in to the danger area where Halliday was on hand to finish the move off with aplomb. Carlisle then came under a bit of pressure and Clarkson saw his shot charged down inside the box. 34 minutes in Jack surprisingly came off and Tony Hopper came on to add a bit more defensive depth. Three minutes from half-time Sall's pass back caused Brock embarrassment as he miskicked and the ball went narrowly wide of the post for a Carlisle corner. But it could easily have been a comic own goal. Dean Bennett became the first man booked when he tripped Halliday while he was breaking quickly upfield. Halliday set up Soley whose shot deceived Brock, the keeper scrambling back to clear after the ball slipped through his fingers. Bennett then headed narrowly wide of the right post for Harriers. Mark Birch went down heavily early in the second half and a stretcher was called for. He hobbled off in some pain and successfully managed to run off the knock. Green fired in a vicious free-kick that was deflected wide for a corner. Harriers won a free-kick themselves and Clarkson's kick was headed well wide by Sall, who could and should have done better. The Cumbrians took the lead after 57 minutes when Green's break down the left and pass was collected by Halliday whose slightly scuffed shot was good enough to beat Brock. The United travelling support of 300-plus was in good voice and the home side seemed to be a tad rattled. Kiddy should have got back on terms though on 64 minutes when Harriers broke quickly and an unmarked Colin Larkin slipped the ball wide of the post with the goal beckoning. Collins made his second change when he swapped Dave Rogers for Peter Murphy. Stamps and Whitehead both received bookings. Hopper produced a good long-range pass to Halliday who sensed a possible hat-trick but fired over the bar. Thirteen minutes from time Whitehead received his second booking and with it a red card. United were down to ten men and Kiddy brought on Ian Foster for Bennett. In the 83rd minute a Richie Appleby cross was mishandled by Keen who seemed to tip the ball into his own net. The goal could have come about as a result of Keen's thigh injury, which was clearly still affecting his movement. Carlisle were under the cosh now but a break created by Foran almost saw Soley reach his through pass. Larkin made a mazy run and United cleared for a corner. Keen was being tested out and he grabbed Appleby's follow-up cross without much discomfort. Into injury time Drewe Broughton replaced the injured Blake. Al's verdict: The double blow of the Whitehead sending off and Keen's fumble cost us the three points. Up to that point, we appeared to be holding our lead relatively comfortably. United throughout the game looked the more dangerous attacking side with quick breaking moves initiated by Foran, Green and Halliday the order of the day. Both goals were well worked but our defensive play wasn't the best. Losses of concentration are still occurring too frequently at the back. |
