Ian Atkins made his second return to Brunton Park since quitting his job in the summer of 2001. Roddy Collins had some unkind words for the man who pulled off an escape act to rank among the best in recent history two years ago after his cash-strapped side had been six points adrift at the bottom on Christmas Day. Whatever the reasons for his scathing attack, Atkins wasn't biting and the game itself was rather typical of many during his time at the club. Conditions dictated it would not be a classic match and the first half was devoid of real quality or much in the way of goalmouth incident. With Richie Foran on the bench, on-loan strikers Craig Farrell and John Sutton knew they were playing for their places. However Matty Glennon at the other end had hearts in mouths when he dropped a cross but managed to recover. For Carlisle, Leon Osman brought an early save out of Andy Woodman and Mark Magennis turned skilfully inside on to his left foot and fired in a shot from 25 yards that was on target but at a comfortable height for the Bulls keeper Woodman. Gavin Gordon went close for Oxford but the only goal of the game arrived soon after. A cross field pass by Michael Taylor went over Farrell's head and landed at the feet of McGill in space. He ran at the defence and got inside the box, shooting low and getting a deflection which was enough to deceive Woodman and go inside his near post. 1-0 to the Cumbrians. The tall visiting front pair of Gordon and Jefferson Louis (sounds like a boxer!) gave the wobbly home defence a few worrying moments but the lead was maintained and the home side went in at the interval happy enough with their narrow lead. Oxford made a half-time switch, taking off Gordon and bringing on Steve Basham. Carlisle began to settle down in midfield with McGill and Osman getting through some good work and Summerbell as usual the ball winner. McGill made a driving run on goal early on but brought a good tip over from Woodman with a shot from the left edge of the penalty area. For the visitors, the lively Basham gave Peter Murphy the slip and drove a shot inches over Glennon's bar as inevitably a fit of the jitters got hold of United. The incident which could have turned the whole afternoon sour came 18 minutes from time when Summerbell chased a ball to the touchline near the Waterworks End. Sliding in, he took Scott McNiven out blatantly and referee Mr Evans had little option but to wave the red card. A big blow for Roddy Collins and for Summerbell who served a one-match ban just last weekend. The away side pushed more men forward and forced some half-chances and caused late anxiety. One shot from Dave Waterman flashed inches wide after Glennon half-cleared a low cross with a punch out. For the Cumbrians, the return of Foran to the side as a substitute for Sutton brought late relief as he used his know-how to waste some precious seconds near the corner flag. The final whistle, after almost four minutes of added time brought huge relief to the attendance of 4,039. Al's verdict: 1-0 to the Cumbrians! We haven't seen that scoreline at Brunton Park for a very long time. Indeed, it hasn't been seen much in the newspapers since a certain Ian Atkins was the boss at Brunton Park. Despite Collins's verbal volley in the press before the game, this was almost an Atkins-esque performance from United in Atkins-esque conditions - a soft pitch and driving rain. Carlisle beat Oxford at their own game and had time to play a bit of football in midfield before they were pushed back late on and were hanging on a bit towards the end. Summerbell's sending off however was a bit unnecessary even allowing for the conditions, however. A deserved victory and very much a step in the right direction. A small step perhaps, but something on which to build. |
