Carlisle Men's Hockey Club

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After last week's postponement, Carlisle visited Southport. The match started quickly with open flowing hockey as Carlisle pressed for an early opening. The early goal came when Stephen Melville turned on the edge of the D and fired a shot towards the far post which was pushed over by Dave Barron. Southport pressed to equalise and did so quickly when a good run down the left allowed a cross to be fired in to the centre where an unmarked forward fired the ball home. Southport's confidence grew and keeper Mark Hutchinson twice had to race from his line to save Carlisle when Southport were one on one. When he was finally beaten, Martyn Drake was on hand to clear off the line. At half-time it was one-one.

Carlisle pressed forward in the second half forcing the keeper into a number of good saves. A messy scramble in front of goal allowed Dave Barron to flick the ball over the keeper to give Carlisle the lead. That was quickly followed by a short corner which was returned to injector, the now prolific, Trev Johnston who steadied himself and lifted the ball over the keeper to score his second in two games.

Southport started to drop their heads and a cross the left was swept in by Dave Barron for his hat-trick and was quickly followed by his fourth before good work by Mo Bhatti saw him hit the post and whilst everyone stood still Stephen Melville pushed it over the line. Man of the Match, Ali Richards.

Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Trevor Johnston, Tom Lawson, Alistair Richards, Tim Jackson, Liam Gallagher, Mike Bowen, Robert Gordon, Stephen Melville, Mobeen Bhatti, Martyn Drake, Darren Illidge

Carlisle started the stronger team and took an early lead when Stephen Melville scored on the turn. Carlisle continued to create a number of chances but failed to increase their lead. It took a goal line clearance by Trev Johnston and two flying saves by man of the match Mark Hutchinson to protect the lead.

In the second half Carlisle controlled the game and went close on a number of occasions. In the dying minutes a free hit for the visitors was cut out by Tim Jackson, and the ball was quickly cleared up front to Stephen Melville who's shot was saved. Ali Richards picked up the loose ball and flicked it back over the keeper into the net.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Trevor Johnston, Stuart Brindley, Tom Lawson, Alistair Richards, Tim Jackson, Liam Gallagher, Rob Thomas, Paul Thomas, Mike Bowen, Robert Gordon, Stephen Melville, Mobeen Bhatti, Jonny Wilson, Martyn Drake, Darren Illidge

Carlisle made all the early running looking for their second win of the weekend, which would see them leap frog their opponents into sixth place in the table. The best move of the match came after five minutes which saw a free hit on the edge of their own D, go from Johnston on the left to Gallagher on the right via Illidge, before being moved up the wing by Bowen and into Richards and Melville the ball being fed to Drake who hit the post. Springfield broke after a Carlisle attack broke down and quickly turned defence into attack to score with their first attack mid way through the half. Carlisle continued to dominate and equalised when Barron scored from close range. Springfield attacked and force Johnston to clear off the line. They took the lead from a short corner, the ball being fed back to Barron who'd injected to score.

Springfield equalised near the end of the half when a long corner was hit through a crowd of players. The Second half was all Carlisle as Springfield sat back for the draw. After a number of missed chances, in the dying minutes a scrambled effort was finally flicked in by Melville. Man of the match, Ali Richards.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Trevor Johnston, Tom Lawson, Alistair Richards, Liam Gallagher, Rob Thomas, Paul Thomas, Mike Bowen, Robert Gordon, Stephen Melville, Mobeen Bhatti, Jonny Wilson, Martyn Drake, Darren Illidge

Carlisle travelled to Manchester to take on the leagues last remaining unbeaten team and top scorers, Didsbury, who have averaged 5 goals per game this season.

The game started with Didsbury's usual free-flowing running hockey, but although they were camped in the Carlisle half for long periods they failed to force a meaningful save from keeper Mark Hutchinson. As Didsbury pushed people forward for an opening, Carlisle were able to clear the ball quickly up field were Stephen Melville ran on to the ball and struck his shot on the turn into the bottom corner. Although, against the run of play Carlisle began to break more and more forcing a number of short corners. In the dying minutes of the half Didsbury were given a free hit on the edge of the D, which was turned into a short corner for dissent by Ali Richards. From the short corner the ball was struck low into the corner of the goal. At half-time it was one - one.

From the restart, Martyn Drake played a perfect through ball to Dave Barron who knocked it past the keeper to give Carlisle the lead. It is often said that the way a team reacts to adversity is the difference between a good team and a great team. The free-flowing hockey by Didsbury now became erratic as more and more they played as individuals whilst Carlisle played as a team, defending well. Didsbury poured men forward and Carlisle were able to catch them on the break on a number of occasions. Disbury's players began to lose their composure and looked a pale shadow of themselves. The last ten minutes saw a flurry of short-corners, but Carlisle's defence stood firm. Didsbury's best chance saw them hit the post with a late effort, which wouldn't have counted due to a high stick.

Defender, Trev Johnston was man of the match in what was an outstanding team performance by Carlisle.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Trev Johnston, Robert Gordon, Liam Gallagher, Jonny Wilson, Stu Brindley, Martyn Drake, Mike Bowen, Rob Thomas, Stephen Melville, Ali Richards.

After a run of good form, Carlisle travelled to Kendal aiming to revenge a 3v1 defeat earlier in the season against their only Cumbrian opposition in the North West 5th Division North.

They started well, with the opening goal coming from Ali Richards, who took the ball in to the D and although his first effort was blocked by a defender, the advantage was played allowing him to stroke the ball home at the second attempt.

Kendal hit back and soon equalised, but the lead was regained after a good cross by Mike Bowen found Mo Bhatti to score. The game was soon made safe when Mike Bowen, in a man of the match performance, again found the loose forward with a good cross, allowing Rob Thomas to score.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Trevor Johnston, Stuart Brindley, Tom Lawson, Alistair Richards, Tim Jackson, Liam Gallagher, Rob Thomas, Mike Bowen, Mobeen Bhatti, Jonny Wilson, Martyn Drake

The divisions, two in form teams met last Saturday with Carlisle needing the win to leap frog their opponents in the league.

Carlisle were weakened before the game with Tom Lawson injuring his hand in the warm up. The first half was a scrappy affair with both sides respectful of the other and not committing men forward. Lytham, enjoying the majority of the possession but could not break Carlisle down, but it was still Carlisle having the best of the chances with Stephen Melville going close from the edge of the D.

With the game goalless at half time, Carlisle began to push for the opening. Dave Barron went close from two yards, deflecting his shot wide of the post after Mike Bowen had set him up with a perfect cross. The Lytham forwards were full of running, but after an attack was broken down by Trevor Johnston, he cleared the ball up field quickly founding Stephen Melville in space. Whilst he looked for an opening, the Lytham defence backed off enabling him to have a clean strike from the top of the D, hitting the ball past the keeper.

Lytham, full of confidence after a number of good results, hit back, forcing a number of short corners. A well organised defence forced them to resort to long shots from outside the D hoping for a touch along the way. The best of these saw them just miss from three yards out. The last five minutes saw Carlisle camped in their own half, but Carlisle held on to see them go fifth in the table.

Carlisle's next game is Saturday 22nd February, away to Blackburn.

For those interested in playing hockey, Carlisle train Tuesdays 7-9 at St Aidans.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Trevor Johnston, Stuart Brindley, Tom Lawson, Alistair Richards, Tim Jackson, Liam Gallagher, Rob Thomas, Mike Bowen, Robert Gordon, Stephen Melville, Mobeen Bhatti, Alex Thisthlewaite

Carlisle travelled to Blackburn last weekend, we a team depleted by injury, looking to maintain their good run of form which has seen them take 28 points out of 33 available prior to this match. The game started well with David Boyd going close on his debut. The next good chance came to Dave Barron who with his back to goal swept the ball just wide. Although Carlisle had a number of short corners they weren't able to break Blackburn down as they frustrated Carlisle.

Dave Barron's colourful half time team talk threatened to boil over, but it brought the team together for the start of the second half, where straight from the push back, Carlisle attacked with Ali Richards down the left forcing a short corner. From the short corner, Dave Barron injected and the ball was played back to him by Tim Jackson for Dave to strike the ball home. Once Carlisle had the opening they were able to break down Blackburn time and time again.

A good cross by Mike Bowen found Dave Barron in space, but as he tried to flick it over the keeper he put it over the bar, A quickly taken free hit by Mike Bowen found Ali Richards after a mistake from the defender who slotted home for Carlisle's second.

Carlisle third, and possibly their best goal of the season, came from a Blackburn attack. Defender, Robert Gordon intercepted a pass and after combining well with Mike Bowen found Mo Bhatti, who raced through the defence and from the goal line, found Ali Richards to score his second. It was quickly four as Stu Brindley gathered the ball on the edge of the D before taking it round two defenders and lifting the ball over the keeper. Carlisle's fifth came as the defence backed off Mike Bowen allowing to run into the D and score.

Man of the match for Carlisle was Stu Brindley. Carlisle's next game is Saturday 1st March, 2:30 at St Aidans versus Salford.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Trevor Johnston, Tim Jackson, Robert Gordon, Stu Brindley, Rob Thomas, Mike Bowen, Mo Bhatti, Ali Richards, David Boyd

Carlisle went into third place in the division with a hard fought win against Salford. The visitors came looking for the draw, inviting Carlisle to attack them. The first chance of the game fell to Stephen Melville who's first time shot was saved by the keeper as far as Ali Richards who tried to flick it over the keeper only for him to make another good save. Carlisle continued to dominate the game but found the visiting keeper in good form. At half-time it was nil-nil.

The game earlier in the season between the two sides had finished one-one and the game was looking to end in draw as Carlisle continually failed to break down the stubborn Salford defence. After restricting Blackburn the previous week to two long corners and no short corners, Carlisle restricted Salford to two long corners and two short corners, whilst Carlisle had 25 short corners.

It took Martyn Drake to add a variation onto the short corner routine as with ten minutes to go, he gathered the ball, steadied himself and flicked the ball over the keeper instead of hitting it. Salford began to attack, but Carlisle's defence stood firm. Within minutes it was two as Martyn Drake scored an identical goal to his first.

In the dying minutes Dave Barron scored from close range and Salford were reduced to nine men due to consistent fouling.

Man of the match for Carlisle, Paul Thomas.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Stu Brindley, Tim Jackson, Liam Gallagher, Robert Gordon, Martyn Drake, Mike Bowen, Paul Thomas, Rob Thomas, Alex Thistlethwaite, Ali Richards, Stephen Melville

08/03/02

Liverpool Uni 1v1 Carlisle

Carlisle's 100% record this year came to an end last weekend in a hard fought contest in Liverpool. Carlisle started well with Dave Barron going close on the turn and a number of early short corners. Following a foul Carlisle had the ball in the goal via Paul Thomas but the umpire had already blown for a short corner. The Liverpool goalkeeper was playing well, throwing himself across his goal to keep Carlisle out. From a Carlisle attack, Liverpool were able to launch a quick counter attack leaving Carlisle outnumbered at the back. Although the defence were able to slow the attack down the extra men were made to count, to leave Carlisle trailing.

Buoyed by the goal, Liverpool started to attack in numbers and it took a good save from Mark Hutchinson which was then cleared by Robert Gordon to keep them out. Trevor Johnston, as solid as ever in central defence made a number of telling tackles, taking a blow to the face in the process. At half-time it was one-nil.

Carlisle enjoyed the greater procession in the second half as they searched for the equaliser. The slow pitch was proving to be an advantage to the defending team as Carlisle failed to convert any of their short corners. When the goal came it was a scrappy affair. Rob Thomas, having his best game of the season, took the ball down the left before passing to Stu Brindley, the defender locked sticks with him, so Paul Thomas played the ball to Martyn Drake and while the home team called for a foul for the use of his feet, he played the ball to Dave Barron for him to slot home his 20th of the season. In the dying minutes, Carlisle converted a short corner but it was ruled out for the ball not being stopped dead.

The result sees Carlisle drop to 5th in the league with two games to play. The last home game of the season is Saturday 15th at 2.30, St Aidan's versus Liverpool Hope Hope.

Man of the match, Martyn Drake.

Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Trevor Johnston, Stuart Brindley, Liam Gallagher, Rob Thomas, Paul Thomas, Robert Gordon, Jonny Wilson, Martyn Drake, Kevin Robertson

Carlisle's final home match of the season saw them achieve what no other team in the division has achieved this season, as they have now beaten every other team in the division at least once. When the teams last met in December the game became nasty due to some unsporting behaviour by Liverpool, who were then challenging for second place. Since then Carlisle are unbeaten in 10 taking 28 points from 30, scoring 31 and conceding 6.

The game started well with Carlisle on the attack from the off, forcing a short corner in the opening seconds. Liverpool, looking a shadow of the team which won the first fixture were camped in their own half for long periods. After a nasty challenge on Martyn Drake, Martyn himself was sin-binned for dissent but the teams were soon level in numbers due to an injury to Liverpool's captain. Good work by Ali Richards and Paul Thomas saw the ball played up to Dave Barron in acres of space but Mo Bhatti failed to fully control the ball when put through on goal. He made up for it moments later when an identical move saw him return the favour to Dave Barron to score his 21st of the season in 21 games. At half time it was one-nil.

Needing the win to leapfrog their opponents, Carlisle pushed forward again, and from a goal mouth scramble, Paul Thomas steadied himself to lift the ball over the keeper for Carlisle's second. It was soon three when Darren Illidge got on the end of a good cross from Mike Bowen.

This was Liverpool's last game of the season and having given up on the result they started to have a bit of fun. Their antics became dangerous and disgraceful to hockey when one man was sin-binned for the rest of the game for consistent fouling which was soon followed by a reckless challenge on Mike Bowen and a ball being deliberately lifted into the midriff of Dave Barron. The team was called to their captain to try and restore order.

Carlisle's response, to their credit, was to carry on playing hockey. It was soon four as Rob Thomas scored from close range to give arguably the first father and son duo to play and score in the same game for Carlisle. In the dying moments Ali Richards made it five with a clinical strike from two inches. Carlisle tight defence keeping their 7th clean sheet of the season, (4 out of last 5) and restricting the opposition to no short corners. Man of the match was Mike Bowen.

Carlisle travel away to Liverpool Sefton for their last game and need to win and hope that Lytham do not win away to championship chasing Manchester Trinity in order to finish third.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Trevor Johnston, Tim Jackson, Liam Gallagher, Robert Gordon, Stu Brindley, Martyn Drake, Rob Thomas, Paul Thomas, Tom Lawson, Mike Bowen, Ali Richards, Mo Bhatti, Darren Illidge

22/03/03

Carlisle travelled down to Liverpool for their last game of the season knowing they had to win to finish third in the league. The game started evenly with both sides using possession well, but the home team continually failed to marked Jonny Wilson and Ali Richards who were finding room behind the defence, with an early chance falling to Dave Barron who force a good save from the keeper, which Rob Thomas tried to flick back over him, only for the keeper to produce another good save. The first goal came from good work from Mike Bowen running along the touchline and pulling the ball back to Ali Richards who turned and cracked the ball home. Carlisle's second came from a short corner with Dave Barron scoring from close range for his 23rd of the season.

Immediately from the push back, Rob Thomas pressurised the home defence forcing a scrappy clearance to the side line. The ball was quickly played back into the D where Dave Barron got his second. Good work between Tom Lawson and Paul Thomas allowed Paul to enter the D where his well struck shot flew past the keeper. At half time it was four nil to Carlisle.

Liverpool pushed more men up in the second half and began to create a number of chances. Having failed to convert their short corners for most of the season, Carlisle scored with their next two. The first saw the ball swept to Mike Bowen who's first shot was deflected back to him by a defender but he got the ball back and crossed for Rob Thomas to score, claiming a father and son double for the second week in succession. Carlisle's sixth was a well struck shot direct off a short corner by Tom Lawson, giving him his first fo the season. Liverpool pulled a consolation goal back late on, but Carlisle again had a good chance from a short corner with Liam Gallagher failing to connect.

The result saw Carlisle finish the season in third place after only dropping two points in the second half of the season. Man of the Match was Stu Brindley.

Carlisle:

Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Liam Gallagher, Trevor Johnston, Robert Gordon, Stu Brindley, Mike Bowen, Rob Thomas, Paul Thomas, Martyn Drake, Tom Lawson, Ali Richards, Jonny Wilson

Last Updated 27/11/05

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