Carlisle United v Scunthorpe United

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Football League One

Carlisle United :
Williams, Kane, Murphy, Keogh, Liddle, Anyinsah, Thirlwell, Kavanagh, Neal (Bridges 76), Graham, Gareth Taylor (Dobie 61).
Subs not used:
Raven, Cleveland Taylor, Madine.

Scunthorpe United :
Murphy, Byrne, Crosby, Mirfin, Mills, Lansbury (Woolford 66), McCann, Togwell, Hurst (Odejayi 65), Hayes (Trotter 90), Hooper.
Subs not used:
Lillis, Wright.

SULSESC REPORT

by Vic Duke at Brunton Park

AS far as I know, I was the only fully fledged SULSESC member at Brunton Park. A lapsed member by the name of Darren was present - time he paid his dues! And where were the rest of you in a promotion-chasing season?

Admittedly train services on the west coast line were disrupted by replacement buses, which made the journey horrendous.

As a result of the latter, I travelled the scenic route on the Settle-Carlisle line. I'd forgotten how stunning the scenery is. On to the recommended pub, the Linton Holme Hotel - a nice pint of Yates' bitter, but the pub was deserted as there was no Sky TV showing the big match.

After a couple of pints and no sign of any SULSESC, I accepted a lift from two Carlisle fans in the back of a sports car (very dodgy) to Carlisle Rugby Club, which is also in the Good Beer Guide 2009. Some more Yates plus watched the second-half of Man U 1 Liverpool 4 - splendid stuff and off to the match in buoyant mood.

Pre-match news was mixed: Pearce was unwell and his place taken by Crosby, leading to worries re Crozzer's turn of speed; on the other hand, the speedy Cleveland Taylor was on the Carlisle bench, and not immediately in a position to score the customary goal against a former club.

Overall it was not a memorable first-half. Admittedly there was a nasty swirling wind, but both teams contrived to give the ball away regularly, and the final pass/cross was distinctly lacking. Nonetheless the Iron managed to succumb to yet another sucker punch from a corner in the 20th minute. Anyinsah scuffed the ball in at the near post -where was the marking?

The second-half was dominated by the Iron. Right from the start, the clarets took control of midfield. However, the same old story, the finish was lacking. Chances came and went.

We had to wait until the 70th minute for the equaliser, which proved to be a stunner. Hayes volleyed a rocket into the top right corner from the left side of the penalty area. A string of opportunities to clinch the three points followed, but all were squandered.

A somewhat disappointing point. Now out of the play-off positions in seventh, the Iron will have to rely on home form and those home games in hand.