Carlisle go into action this afternoon trying to make amends for a rare defeat last week.
The first team lost for the first time in over 60 games – a remarkable run – when they went down 4-2 at Morpeth.
That was second against third and it’s even tougher today when Carlisle host Durham City at Austin Friars (3.15pm) as they sit top of the League.
Carlisle just couldn’t find the end product to get past a strong Morpeth side in what was always going to be a close encounter over in the north-east.
The Cumbrians started strongly with good passages of play creating chances in the Morpeth ‘D’.
However, by the same token, good pressure and a high press from the Morpeth team caused the Carlisle back line a few problems and were able to get the first goal of the game from a well worked move.
Carlisle were able to bounce -back quickly with a very well-worked move themselves. Good midfield work from Liam Brown, Josh Freshwater and James Atkinson created space to get in behind the Morpeth defence where Brown was able to add another goal to his growing tally.
Morpeth came back and sustained pressure from good movement and ball speed kept the Carlisle defence busy.
The defence did well to keep the Morpeth attackers out but an unmarked man at the back post was able to put in Morpeth’s second.
Again Carlisle came back strongly. Ben Davidson was able to pick out Jamie Snaith as good movement by the front three created space to pounce. A nice slipped pass from Snaith to Rob Whiteley enabled the visitors to level again.
Just on the stroke of half-time, an unforced error led to another Morpeth goal and the home side took a 3-2 lead in at half time.
Unfortuantely the second half provided no luck for the visitors in terms of goals but some very good passages of play and great work rate provided the Morpeth defence with a lot of problems.
Carlisle conceded again from a good reverse hit as the pressure mounted.
Good work and ball movement at the back from man of the match Ben Meaton created opportunities for the Carlisle attackers but unfortunately it just wasn’t their day.
Despite the end to a superb unbeaten run Carlisle could be really proud of their efforts after playing some good hockey but just weren’t able to capitalise on their chances.
The men’s second team was awarded a 5-0 walk-over as the opposition couldn’t field a team.
