It was the gutsiest of shows from Roddy Collins's battlers after the loss of captain Lee Maddison early in the second half. United had created plenty of chances with man of the match Ryan Baldacchino creating most of the best moments. He gave the Shrimpers defence a nightmare in the opening 45 minutes, running at defenders and outstripping them with ease. However there were no goals at the interval. Carl Cort headed over after 12 minutes with Southend's first real opening. Then debutant John Burns blasted over the bar as Carlisle came back into it strongly. A testing 25-yarder from Kevin Maher brought the best out of Peter Keen, who was to have another inspired night between the sticks. However he almost dropped a clanger mid-way through the half when he spilled the ball at the feet of Neil Jenkins who missed a great chance to open the scoring. Mick Galloway, starting the game after appearing as sub on Saturday, side-footed into the arms of Daryl Flahaven from 25 yards. Ex-United ace Damon Searle had a decent game for the home team and his surges forward always gave United plenty to think about. A clever one-two with Mark Rawle near half-time left him with a shooting chance but he fired over after the best move of the match to that point. Baldacchino blotted his copybook when he was booked after a clash with Cort, who also received a caution. Baldacchino began the second half on fire and could have set up Foran with an excellent dribble only to delay his pass too long and see the ball cleared. Shortly after Maddison went down, received lengthy treatment and was carried off - a worrying sight so early in the campaign for Roddy Collins. There was talk of concussion. Maddison didn't reappear. The bookings were stacking up. Ian Selley of Southend saw yellow shortly after lifting the ball over Keen and wide of the target. Brian Shelley set up Trevor Molloy with an excellent pass but Molloy stubbed his foot and hobbled away more embarrassed than injured. Greame Jones fed Jenkins who fired wide. Chances were coming at both ends - a goal looked inevitable. On 70 minutes, enter the gladiator as Will McDonagh came on. Within moments he was almost walking straight back off after a crunching tackle that brought all the players together in a shoving match. The crowd bayed for red but McDonagh only saw yellow, thankfully for him. Keen then produced another excellent save from a Cort header. Southend's height at set pieces was always a problem. At the other end Brian Wake, who had also come on, had a chance from a well taken Galloway corner which Flahaven stopped right on the line. Seven minutes from the end came the goal-den moment for McDonagh. Baldacchino inevitably played his part, getting in a good cross to the far post and the young Irish ace arriving to drive home from 7 yards out for the winner. Rawle missed one of the easiest chances of the night within 30 seconds. Luck was on Carlisle's side. The same man headed wide as the game moved into added time. It was heart-stopping stuff, and so early in the season. United are back - sooner than we all thought possible - and that can only be a good thing. Al's verdict: What a great victory after the disappointment of Saturday. Every player did their bit in a fighting performance that bore the hallmarks of a good Roddy Collins team. The new boys are starting to make an impact, especially Baldacchino and Molloy and it was great to see McDonagh fight back from his below-par effort on Saturday to score the winner. This is a team that will undoubtedly score goals although we will need all of Keeno's excellence in goal to keep out the opposition. Clean sheets may be few and far between this season - but this was one of the best ones in a long while. Long may it continue! |
