United received a massive boost before kick-off when experienced central defender Paul Raven was passed fit to start. Raven had missed the previous three games due to an injury picked up at home to York. Raven came in for Lee Andrews, while Shrewsbury made a change in goal with Mark Cartwright coming in for Dunbavin. The game started with a terrific tempo with Ryan Baldacchino very prominent for United. Then on 3 minutes a Woan cross was headed over his own bar by Summerbell to concede a corner. Peter Murphy was booked after a challenge outside the box by Lee Maddison, apparently for dissent. Referee Curzon marched it forwards and Aiston's kick found Jemson who put it over when totally unmarked. Carlisle's first good chance came when Foran broke and fed Baldacchino whose 18 yard shot was pushed aside by Cartwright for a corner. In the build-up Aiston received a blow to a head and had to come off for treatment. Aiston returned all bandaged up. Luke Rodgers was booked for a foul on Birch. Shrewsbury forced a series of corners as they kept United pinned back in their own half. Woan volleyed just over as Rodgers' corner almost set up the opening goal. Brian Wake almost latched on to a through ball as Cartwright came out and flapped at the ball, conceding a corner. A Wake challenge on Cartwright brought another yellow card. On 30 minutes Rodgers was brought down inside the box by Raven and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Jemson stepped forward and sent Glennon the wrong way to bring Gay Meadow to its feet. Within a few minutes Raven had to go off, clearly not as fit as Roddy Collins had hoped. Lee Andrews replaced him. United's response to going behind was swift. A free kick into the box was met by Wake who claimed the final touch to make it 1-1. Unbelievably Wake was in again with another goal on 37 minutes as a bad defensive error allowed him in to go round the keeper and put the Cumbrians ahead. The two goals stunned Shrewsbury who seemed to go to pieces temporarily. Their supporters, previously very noisy, slackened off. The half-time whistle brought a welcome cuppa and a pat on the back from Roddy Collins as United were half-way towards their objective. Shrewsbury began the second half with renewed vigour as Jemson and Rodgers combined to put pressure on the United defence. Almost straight away a long ball down the middle found Wake running through and going past Cartwright to score a hat-trick. 3-1 and more desperate defending from Shrewsbury. The goal appeared to totally deflate the home crowd. Carlisle kept the ball well and looked to keep Shrewsbury at arm's length. The home team tried to rally and Birch roughly cleared for a corner. Steve Watts got in a header from the ball in but Glennon saved well. Ryan Lowe compounded the home side's misery by being sent off after just 90 seconds on the pitch. Within seconds Rodgers appeared to butt Craig Russell but the ref this time took no action. It was a clear sign of home hopes sinking fast with United having only 10 men to defend against and a two-goal lead intact. A long throw in that found Darren Moss found Tolley who shot wide as the home team attempted to pull a goal back. Rodgers brought Shrews back into it with a brilliant shot that beat Glennon five minutes from time. It was Carlisle who could have made it 4-1 when Foran went through and lobbed Cartwright but the ball spun harmlessly wide. Al's verdict: A fantastic 14-minute hat-trick by Brian Wake saw off Shrewsbury and keeps us where we belong for another year. In the end, we exploited Shrewsbury's soft underbelly that was their defence and the rapid change of fortunes which saw us quickly strike back from one-nil down must have totally stunned the home support. The home crowd were quickly deflated and the heat went out of the game. Baldacchino and Foran were outstanding in attack and Summerbell in his element as a defensive bulwark. The Lowe sending off very much the final straw. Now it is to be hoped that fortunes rapidly improve as this is the sixth season in a row we've spent near the bottom of the table. |
