The match-winner for the Cumbrians was substitute Craig Farrell, who headed the only goal from Peter Murphy's outswinging cross six minutes from time. Carlisle went into the game without midfielder Chris Lumsdon, and were also lacking Paul Simpson, Andy Preece, Carlos Roca and Brian Shelley in what has become a mini injury crisis. Paul Arnison moved inside to take Lumsdon's place with Brendan McGill returning to the starting line-up on the right wing. The re-shaped United looked to take the game to the visitors on a damp surface in showery, windy conditions. However Crawley kept possession well and showed a willingness to attack the home side when they had the opportunity. They also showed a willingness to get stuck in physically and the first incident of note saw Charlie MacDonald receiving lengthy treatment following a clash with Tom Cowan. This set a pattern for an opening half punctuated by injuries to prostrate players. A Magno Vieira shot in the 11th minute brought a corner and from it Kevin Gray's header was blocked on the line by keeper Phil Smith. On 16 minutes Karl Hawley's free kick from distance was saved by Smith. Four minutes later Brendan McGill came so close to breaking through but his right footed effort from just inside the box came back off the inside of the far post. Immediately a Hawley effort forced a corner and from it, Simon Grand rose at the far post only to see his glancing header fly just wide of the far upright. It seemed certain the home team must score as Crawley came under heavy pressure. A foul by the combative Fiston Manuella on Hawley brought another free kick just outside the area. Murphy's low effort was only parried by Smith but no home boot could quite lay a foot on the rebound and the Reds' goal survived intact. Underworked Matty Glennon was called into action to pull down Ben Judge's cross on 27 minutes, but it was still all Carlisle. There was a further interruption to play soon after as Cowan was pushed off the ball by Robert Traynor and a free kick awarded. However Traynor came off worst and had to be stretchered off the field. Manuella finally received a booking for a foul on Lee Andrews. Hawley spooned over the bar after Smith had flapped at a Murphy free kick. With two minutes until the break Cowan produced a good effort from the left edge of the box which the busy Smith tipped round the post. The second half started with the visitors looking better organised and United could not initially maintain their pressure of the first 45 minutes. A Danny Davidson shot for the visitors brought a save out of Glennon. 30 seconds later Adrian Deane saw his long range effort bounce off the bar with Glennon a spectator. It was a wake-up call to a Carlisle side who had dominated the opening half and showed Crawley were still very much a danger. Manuella then went into what looked a 50:50 challenge with Cowan and came off far worse. However referee Matadar waved the red card at him, much to the anger of the visitors who had two further players in Sean Hankin and Charlie Mapes booked after lengthy protests. Paul Armstrong was later booked for further dissent as the game became a bit heated. United's play had become scrappy and Crawley were packing their box, getting men behind the ball and generally making life difficult for a side lacking their main playmaker in Chris Lumsdon. The supply of aerial balls to Hawley and Vieira weren't gaining much reward so Paul Simpson brought on Kevin Henderson for Tom Cowan to try and raise the pressure. But the visitors had two more goal attempts through Neil Jenkins and Hankin, which Glennon did very well to block. The warning signs were there for all to see. Tall substitute Davidson was giving United's rather lumbering rearguard plenty to think about. A Murphy cross on 71 minutes was glanced inches wide by Henderson as the Cumbrians began to look a little more menacing again. McGill shot wide from the edge of the box, then had a shot blocked by Crawley captain Ian Simpemba. Simpson made another tactical switch, throwing on Farrell for Andrews. This time, the move paid off. Farrell had looked lively and with six minutes on the clock, he rose at the far post to head home a wicked outswinging cross from Murphy with Smith stranded off his line. United began to relax and looked more comfortable. Grand had a header on target saved by Smith. Crawley belatedly tried to get back into the game but the effort expended by their ten men told on them and United comfortably held on to their hard-earned lead. Al's verdict: Last week, an inspired victory, this week, a very hard-earned and physically tough three points that shows we have what it takes to tough out these games where the visitors are determined to defend at all costs. To be fair to Crawley, they looked a very good team in spells and gave our defence more to worry about than any other team this season. They also defended well in the second half although we should have been at least two goals in front at the break. It's amazing to think the only first half goals we've scored this season in the league have all been in one game against Farnborough. Having said that, the second half today was less convincing than the first and we struggled without Lumsdon. But credit to Simmo who again turned a game with a substitution. He showed bravery in having four forwards on at the end and giving no quarter in his attempts to get the victory. A new club record is just reward for his efforts. Our fourth straight league win takes us up to 2nd, and Barnet are up here in three weeks' time - game on! |
