In United's first game since coming out of administration, the Cumbrians got off to a flying start, in stark contrast to recent games against Torquay and Shrewsbury when they were a goal down within two minutes of kick-off. Ryan Baldacchino put in a right-wing cross, John Sutton touched the ball on to the post and from the rebound, Leon Osman cracked home his first goal for Carlisle from the edge of the six-yard box, just a minute and 47 seconds into the game. They could have gone further ahead in the ninth minute when a Michael Taylor header struck the woodwork following a corner by Mark Magennis. Matty Glennon, back with United after a year away at Hull, then made a fine save from a Danny Adams header to keep the Cumbrians ahead. Chris Priest was booked for a crude challenge on Baldacchino after 15 minutes. Baldacchino tried his luck from 30 yards and forced Steve Wilson in the home goal into a comfortable enough save. Mark Summerbell, about to start a one-match ban, got involved in a contratemps with Steve Hitchen and both players received a yellow. The home team struck back in the 28th minute when Matt Tipton got to the byline and pulled the ball back for David Eaton to volley home and level things up. Within a minute Macc could have moved in front when Brian Shelley made an error and allowed John Askey in who shot into the side netting. Tipton was proving to be a thorn in Carlisle's side and he managed another deflected shot that Glennon was quick to pounce on. Baldacchino appeared to have picked up a knock and came off after 32 minutes to be replaced by Brendan McGill. It looked sadly as though it could have been a re-occurrence of his hamstring problem. Osman then produced some bright play to set up Magennis who shot at Wilson who saved well. McGill's loose pass allowed Tipton to menace Carlisle again but his cross found nobody at home and United escaped. Then Osman twisted and turned his way into space and fired narrowly wide with a minute left in the half. Into added time McGill made a rash challenge and looked a bit relieved to get only a yellow. Roddy Collins made a half-time switch with Will McDonagh on for striker Craig Farrell. The lively Osman managed a shot on target within a minute but Wilson was safely behind it. Priest fed Tipton who had a chance but Shelley rode to the rescue with a great saving tackle. Tipton tried an imaginative attempt when he chipped Glennon but the ball just clipped the top of the cross-bar. Sutton then got a header to a cross by McDonagh but keeper Wilson pushed it away for a corner. From the kick McDonagh forced another corner with a header. Then dangerman Tipton sneaked into space and fired over the bar as Carlisle's marking went awry. Macc went ahead seconds later as Chris Priest ran at the defence and placed his shot inside the left hand upright, giving Glennon no chance. Karl Munroe replaced Askey as the home team sought to consolidate their advantage. The Cumbrians almost drew level when Murphy's free kick found Sutton who tried to set up Osman at the far post but he couldn't quite guide the ball in. Adams and Ridler went into the book for the home side. 10 minutes from the end Sutton headed the ball on to Osman who got in a cross and McGill was on hand to drill home. Carlisle began to gain the upper hand and Osman set up another attack that Macc cleared for a corner. Ridler flicked Lee Hardy's free kick just wide of the right post with two minutes left on the clock. Glennon did well to grab another free kick as the game moved into added time. Macc sub Michael Carr became their sixth booking for a late challenge on Murphy. Al's verdict: A reasonable result, but the defending is still leaving plenty to be desired. Once again the forward play was extremely promising with Osman a clear choice for man of the match and Magennis doing a good job on the wing. The injury to Baldacchino looks to be more bad news for Collins but at least McGill came on and gave a better display than he has for a few weeks and scored the vital equaliser. Once those defensive mistakes are fully eradicated, there will be plenty of points for this team, which is still evolving and getting a little better each week. |
