A win is a win, especially when they’ve been hard to accumulate, but last night’s victory for Carlisle United is likely to be remembered for another reason.
The Blue beat Harrogate Town 2-0 but the Brunton Park crowd of 716 was the smallest in the club’s history – and that included 40 away fans.
It was Carlisle’s final group game in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and progress depends on Accrington Stanley’s final game next week against Notts Forest Under-21’s.
Manager Paul Sipson only made two changers from the side which lost narrowly to Bristol Rovers with Corey Whelan and Alfie McCalmont coming in for Owen Moxon and Paul Huntington.
However youth team players Romeo Park, Aran Fitzpatrick and Josh O’Brien were named for the first time on the bench
The opening goal came after only three minutes when McCalmont and Joe Garner linked to put Jon Mellish in on goal. His strong shot was parried by visiting ‘keeper Jonathan Mitchell (an ex-Workington loanee) and it was Jordan Gibson who reacted quickest to side-foot home from close range.
While both teams showed plenty of intent, clear-cut chances were at a premium and the game wasn’t really closed out until ten minutes from time.
Substitute Dan Butterworth played Jack Armer into the area and a subsequent cross found the head of Ablade but was cleared off the line.
Once again it was Gibson who responded best, working space for himself before finishing from six yards.
Carlisle United – Holy, Armer, Lavelle, Gibson, McCalmont, Garner (Butterworth 72), Whelan, McGeouch (Ablade 72), Mellish, Barclay, Plange. Subs – Breeze, Edmondson, Fitzpatrick, O’Brien, Park.
