The winter conditions continued at the weekend seeing frozen pitches postponing most of Npower Leagues one and two that included Stevenage V Carlisle United. This gave the Cumbrians a chance to pop in an extra couple of hours training in preparation of Tuesday’s game against Tranmere Rovers.
Manager Greg Abbott mentioned in the matchday programme that “we sometimes have to grind a result out,” and the players along with the supporters would have been left disappointed in how they did not take the lead on 88 minutes. A free kick was awarded to them seeing substitute Liam Noble try a shot at goal, but Paddy Madden butted in as he headed towards the top corner of the net, but the chance skimmed just over the bar.
Tranmere themselves had an excellent chance to have taken an early lead in the third minute when Ryan Brunt's close range effort was cleared off the line from Peter Murphy as play continued. However, at an angle it looked like the ball had crossed the line as Brunt was about to celebrate only to stop short when he realised no other team mates were cheering and patting him on the back.
The game lacked spark, love and passion as both sides walked away with a point. Carlisle created plenty of chances but the downside was the final third of the ball when they got near the area as Tranmere's defence held up tightly and strong to put a dent in the Cumbrians chance in reaching the play offs. They are two points behind Stevenage who won 1-0 against Sheffield Wednesday.
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Speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria after the match, Abbott said: “We are full of disappointment to be honest, and it is difficult to offer too many excuses but we haven’t played well, we know that, and it is a good point at the end of the night and it is a clean sheet. So, people are saying to us that we can’t defend, well we have defended tonight because we have had to do.”
Teams
Carlisle United
Collin, Simek, Murphy, Michalik, Parker, Thirlwell, Berrett, (Noble 61), Taiwo, (Madden 46), McGovern, Cook, (Welsh 61), Zoko
Subs-Gillespie, Livesey
Tranmere Rovers
Fon Williams, Goodison, (McChrystal 72), Welsh, Weir, Taylor, McGurk, (Akins 86), Holmes, Buchanan, Devaney, Wallace, Brunt, (Tiryaki 69)
Subs-Labadie, Coughlin
Bookings
Carlisle United-Simek (55), Zoko (90)
Tranmere Rovers-Weir (64), Wallace (88)
Attendances-4,152
Referee- Mr Drysdale
Claire Burgess - Hello, my name is Claire Burgess and I have recently graduated from ULCAN (University of Central Lancashire) in Preston studying Sports ...
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