SUFC 2 - 1 Carlisle United - Match Report

Last updated : 31 March 2002 By Mark Haber of Dragon Iron

Sheldon in action

Slightly different atmosphere to last week, but an important game all the same. Threats of 'after the Lord Mayors Show' abounded during the build up to the game, with good reason as Carlisle are no mugs this season.

No Beagrie again left us with a midfield of Hodges, Sheldon on the flanks with Sparrow and AGC in the middle. Jeffrey made his debut with Torps , the back four being Stanton, Cotterill with McGibbon and Dawson the full backs.

A bright day led a few to believe that it was Tshirt weather, but they soon covered up in the wind.

Last week's win was on everyones mind still, as were the remaining fixtures, 2 crucial home games to come yet.

A few important away ones too.

Carlisle started brightly and we started in our usual pedestrian manner. We don't seem to get fired up before Hodges wakes up, just hope we stay alert enough to stop the early starters.

Carlisle looked a strong team, yet their league position gave away their true standing.

Even so the lad Foran looked handy and caught McGibbon out a couple of times in the first half.

On our first wave of attack, nothing seemed to be happening, yet all of a sudden arms were in the air and the ref had given us a goal. On TV later it looks very dodgy, but we'll take it won't we?

That seemed to take the wind out of the Carlisle sails, another goal might just put them to bed. AGC was trying hard , perhaps too hard , to prove to Laws that he is worth more than a years contract.

I believe he is worth a couple of years, yet we have a few midfield men at the club now and I wouldn't be surprised to see him move on, just very very disappointed.

Jeffrey looked a handy player and was getting on the end of a few things, the goal was his and was providing flicks and set ups himself. Somebody asked me last night 'are we just Grimsby reserves?' Stupid question really , as anyone who knows football knows that neighbouring clubs pass their players on all the time. Saves expensive moving costs doesnt it?

Looks a good signing, with the last one being a bit of a dud. The goal had lifted us and Hodges decided to get into the game more instead of giving the opposition the advantage in terms of giving the ball away.

Hodges fires in his goal

He did and how, off he went on one of his mazy runs, I was thinking all the time that he was going to push the ball too far or fall over or something but on he went. He shoots He scores!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Must be a collectors piece that one. Three mins to HT. Then the cocky bleeder only tries to beat the keeper from the right hand side and damn near succeeds.

We like Lee but he doesnt half frustrate us at times when he drifts in and out of games. 2-0 at HT then.

A hatful of goals and chances in the second half then. We started promisingly enough and seem to be disappointed when we don't score from 20 yard free kicks. That has to be a good thing doesn't it?

Carlisle look to me to be the most unlucky team in the division, nothing really went for them, but I feel they could be worth watching next year.

Never really saw the Irish connection that so much has been spoken about, even the manager had a Scunthorpe connection in that he had John Gregory's coat on.

Hodges does his `Leonardo DiCaprio looking a twat in that film about some boat that sank` pose

We kept at them and Sheldon was having a good game, I do believe players need to be in the team regular to bring real form to their play.

Every club is in the same boat, in that stability is the key to success, yet youngsters have to be given their chance and Sheldon has shown he can do it given his.

We are starting to have a base of youth at this club thta hasn't been seen before with Graves, Sparrow, Mc Combe, Brough just being the tip of the iceberg.

Look at Crewe, it has worked wonders for them. I believe with the right management and attitude we can do even better.

Now you have picked yourselves up after laughing yourself off your seats, I will continue. Carlisle had a chance to get back into the game when Torps handballed in the area. Evans saved brilliantly to his left, the second of the season, { I think, Sorry i'm no Statto} and the rebound sailed wide of the post.

Torps is a player who gets a bit of stick from the crowd,unfairly I feel. Look at his workrate and goals for instance.

14 for the season is good by anyone's standards and he did have the first 5 off don't forget.

He has also sellotaped his arms to his side to save on the yellows. Carlisle pushed for the equaliser and nearly left the back door open for our third.

Another day this game could have been over either way at half time, yet it went to the wire, a credit to Carlisle and to the Iron.

Many teams have been here this season to defend with seven or eight men behind the ball, a dirty trick in my book, yet Carlisle came out and played football with us.

If a few more teams had been so confident earlier in the season we might have been in third now.

Good results today, Hull Mansfield and Cheltenham all losing which can only be a good thing.

Next home will be a cracker, we just have to keep it up and hope the banana skins do the rest, hopefully not for us.