Missing Mark Summerbell and Darren Kelly due to suspension, it was a somewhat weakened Carlisle who ran out for their most important game of the season to date. John Sutton and Craig Farrell were reunited as an attacking duo with the rare sight of Mark Birch drafted in as a midfield enforcer to play the Summerbell role. Peter Murphy moved inside to take Kelly's spot alongside Michael Taylor. New signing Des Byrne made his debut at left back. As has been the case in many of United's recent games, they scored within two minutes of the start with a Brendan McGill shot pushed out by Roger Freestone only as far as Mark Magennis who was on hand to drill in the loose ball. However within seven minutes the Swans were on level terms when Matty Glennon juggled and dropped a Stuart Jones cross at the feet of James Thomas who followed up to poke the visitors back on terms. United were calling the tune with some swift decisive football, Osman at the heart of it all. Mark Birch saw his shot cleared off the line and Michael Taylor also saw an effort booted away from inside the six-yard box. Osman then made a darting run at goal, wriggling past two defenders before drawing out Freestone but his shot was inches wide. United went close again near half-time when Brian Shelley made an inspired run to the byline, going past a couple of Swansea men before setting up Birch who promptly despatched the ball into the car park. Swansea were only sporadically dangerous and James Thomas's header from an unmarked position brought a smart save at full stretch by Glennon. The second half started as the first did for the home side. Key man Osman dribbling into the box and being hauled down inside the box by Andrew Mumford to earn a penalty kick. Craig Farrell stepped up and drilled the ball low into the corner of the net to regain the advantage. Roddy Collins brought on Ryan Baldacchino and seemed to be looking to extend the lead. However Carlisle rather took their foot off the gas and 20 minutes into the half, the visitors again grabbed a goal to draw level. Farrell ran into heavy traffic in midfield, the ball being played into the box where Mumford took the ball down and crossed to the far post where James Thomas was in space to stab home from close range. The visitors briefly looked more likely to take the lead as they pushed more men forward. A rather niggly game saw Taylor booked late in the game for a mistimed challenge. Baldachhino and Paul Reid had earlier gone into the referee's notebook for a spot of nastiness near the centre circle. Will McDonagh came on for the home side. Neither wingers Baldacchino nor McGill could make the kind of impact Collins wanted. Into injury time Farrell turned and shot over with one of United's few late openings. In the end a draw seemed a fair result. Al's verdict: This was a game we really needed to win but unfortunately the usual defensive failings yet again cost us the points. We had the game well bossed in the first half, but we lost our way rather badly and the visitors, growing in confidence could conceivably have pinched it. It was a pity Glennon made a mess of a cross as this is the area where we are hoping he will upgrade our defence. Osman had another terrific game, but rather disappeared during the second half. Murphy deputised well for Kelly at centre back and new man Byrne looked comfortably macth fit despite his lack of games this season. Both front men Farrell and Sutton did very well but mistakes at the back continue to cost us. |
