30/09/2006 - Carlisle 1s 2v0 Alderley Edge

With Carlisle's first team making a rare home appearance on the first day of the North West Division 4 season, it was important to get off to a good start against a young Alderley Edge team.

Despite creating chances through Ally Richards and Neil Sands, Carlisle could not find a way through the Alderley Edge defence. As Mike Bowen and Richard Hogg found space down the flanks, chances went begging in the D, leaving it 0v0 at half time.

Carlisle eventually took the lead through a well worked goal by Olly Kendrick. With minutes Olly was celebrating a second, only for his reverse stick hit to come back off the cross bar.

Alderley Edge had their chances and it took a goal-line clearance by Matt Holmes to preserve the lead before a late Dave Barron goal settled the game.

Carlisle: D Barron (c), M Hutchinson, J Wilson, M Holmes, L Gallagher, R Hogg, N Sands, P Britton-Dodd, M Bowen, A Richards, D Illidge, M Bingham, T Lawson, O Kendrick

07/10/2006 - Bowdon 4s 2v2 Carlisle 1s

Carlisle 1st XI travelled to division 4's early pace setters Bowdon on Saturday looking to overcome their poop away form of last season.

It was Carlisle who started brightly moving the ball well, but as a move broke down, Bowdon attacked quickly forcing a penalty corner. The pattern was set for the rest of the first half as Carlisle enjoyed the greater possession with out creating too many clear cut chances whilst Bowdon counter attacked.

The first goal went to Bowdon as Peter Britton-Dodd played the ball back to Matt Holmes in the Carlisle defence without realising that Matt was marked and as Bowdon seized the opportunity they were left with men over to score an easy tap in. Carlisle were quickly back on top as they immediately hit back as Ally Richards shot was deflected past the keeper by a Bowdon defender, for last season's top scorer to score his first of the season.

Carlisle maintained their greater possession and took the lead in the second half as Dave Barron scooped the ball over the keeper. Bowdon looked to hit back and began to take control of the game as Carlisle's attack became separated from the midfield. After some prolonged pressure and a number of last gasp clearances by Matt Holmes Bowdon equalised. Within minutes Bowdon should have took the lead as a penalty flick was harshly awarded against Matt Holmes, only for man of the match Mark Hutchinson to save a point for Carlisle with a fine save.

Carlisle 1 XI travel to Manchester Trinity next Saturday with Carlisle 2 XI first home game of the season is against Blackpool.

Carlisle: Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Jonny Wilson, Robert Gordon, Mike Bowen, Ally Richards, Darran Illidge, Richard Hogg, Matt Holmes, Olly Kendrick, Steven Boyd, Adam Young, Peter Britton-Dodd

14/10/06 - Manchester Trinity 3v3 Carlisle 1XI

Carlisle maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard earned point at Manchester Trinity. After a slow start, Carlisle found themselves a goal down as Trinity capitalised on a poor pass to break through. Their seconds followed soon after as Jonny Wilson's rushed out at a penalty corner to block the initial shot, only lose out as the ball fell and Trinity scored at the second attempt.

Man of the match Neil Boothby won a penalty corner for Carlisle which captain, Dave Barron, converted. In the second half, Dave got his second by beating the keeper from a narrow angle. The equality was short-lived as Carlisle failed to clear their D and the ball was eventually slotted past keeper Mark Hutchinson. Darran Illidge pushed forward from Carlisle's defence and drilled the ball forward to Olly Kendrick in the D and with the umpire playing a good advantage beat the keeper with his shot on the turn to seal a point for Carlisle.

Carlisle: D Barron (c), M Hutchinson, J Wilson, M Bingham, R Gordon, S Boyd, N Sands, O Kendrick, D Illidge, M Bowen, N Boothby.

21/10/06 - Carlisle 1s 3v7 Neston South Wirral

Carlisle 1s lost their unbeaten record for the season with a game essentially decided by penalty corners.

Neston started brightly dominating the first ten minutes of the game and took the lead through a penalty corner. Carlisle's protests that the ball was high as it crossed the line went unheeded. After two good penalty corner routines produced saves, Carlisle finally converted one through Dave Barron to equalise. Last season's player of the season, Neil Sands, then made an uncharacteristic mistake at the top of the Carlisle D to present Neston with their second.

In the second half, Neil Sands made amends after he converted a penalty corner for Carlisle to equalise again, but the Neston response was immediate. After another two successful penalty corners, Olly Kendrick pulled one back for Carlisle but as they chased the game late on Neston broke and score two on the counter attack.

Man of the match for Carlisle was Darran Illidge.

Carlisle: D Barron (c), M Hutchinson, J Wilson, D Cramb, S Boyd, N Sands, O Kendrick, D Illidge, M Bowen, N Boothby, L Gallagher, A Richards, M Holmes

28/10/06 - Bolton 3v2 Carlisle

Carlisle firsts slumped to second bottom of the North West division 4 league as their inability to win away cost them dearly. After last week's home defeat, Carlisle were anxious to earn only their second win of the season and recalled Paul Thomas into a new look midfield. In a tight division 4, victory against fourth placed Bolton would have leapfrogged Carlisle into third.

Bolton began the stronger and took an early lead and then a mistake at the back gifted Bolton a second. Captain Dave Barron pulled one back for Carlisle from a penalty corner within minutes but it was 2v1 at half time.

A mazy run from Richard Hogg enabled the youngster to fire the ball across the face of the goal but just evaded the Carlisle front line. Mike Bowen then picked out Darran Illidge in the D to gift him his first goal of the season and Carlisle's equaliser.

Bolton pushed forward eager to regain the lead, pressurising Carlisle, but they managed to hold firm until a harsh penalty corner decision, resulted in Bolton securing their third and winning goal.

Carlisle firsts are at home to Crewe on Saturday in a game they must win to move away from the relegation places.

Carlisle: D Barron(c), M Hutchinson, J Wilson, M Holmes, L Gallagher, R Thomas, P Thomas, R Hogg, S Boyd, O Kendrick, D Illidge

04/11/06 - Carlisle 1s 6v1 Crewe

Carlisle 1s moved away from the relegation places in a close division 4 table with a win against second placed Crewe.

Carlisle took an early lead through Ally Richards but were soon pegged back by Crewe to 1v1. After soon good work through the middle Tom Lawson found himself in the D and got his shot away for Carlisle's second, with Ally claiming the final touch.

Darran Illidge struck Carlisle's third, with Ally Richards only denied his hat-trick by the foot of Carlisle's captain Dave Barron.

Mike Bowen's run down the right enabled him to pick out Darran Illidge for Carlisle's fourth before Neil Sands broke through the centre to score with a reverse strike.

Olly Kendrick finished off the scoring with Carlisle's sixth.

Carlisle 1s travel to Bowden 5s next Saturday. Carlisle's man of the match was Steven Boyd.

Carlisle: D Barron (c), M Hutchinson, J Wilson, D Cramb, S Boyd, N Sands, O Kendrick, D Illidge, M Bowen, T Lawson, A Richards, M Holmes, R Hogg

11/11/06 - Bowdon 5s 3v3 Carlisle 1s

After drawing 2v2 against Bowdon 4s earlier in the season, Carlisle 1s earned their third away draw of the season. In a strange north-south divide, Bowdon 4s were last seasons division 5 north champions whilst their 5s were champions of division 5 south.

Carlisle took an early lead as Ally Richards released Olly Kendrick through the middle to slot the ball past the keeper. The lead was short lived as a Bowdon hit from outside the earlier was deflected into the Carlisle goal.
Carlisle hit back as Steven Boyd picked out Olly Kendrick to score his second. Again, Bowdon hit back quickly, to leave the score 2v2 at half time.

In the second half Carlisle took a deserved lead as Mike Bowen's cross was deflected into the roof of the net by Darran Illidge. Bowdon hit back and were awarded a penalty flick as Matt Holmes' was penalised for a foot on the line. The poorly hit flick was saved by Carlisle's keeper Mark Hutchinson to maintain Carlisle's lead.

As the players became increasingly frustrated, Steven Boyd was warned for stick tackling. Within minutes, a Jonny Wilson foul resulted in him being shown a yellow card as the umpire mistakenly thought he'd already spoken to him. From the resulting penalty corner Bowdon equalised.

Carlisle 1s at home to bottom placed Northop Hall next week.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Jonny Wilson, Mike Bowen, Ally Richards, Darran Illidge, Richard Hogg, Matt Holmes, Rob Thomas, Olly Kendrick, Steven Boyd, Neil Boothby

18/11/06 - Carlisle 1s 3v1 Northop Hall

Carlisle moved into fourth in NW division 4 with only their third win of the season.

After a scrappy opening Richard Hogg picked up the ball around 25 yards from goal and after dribbling past two defenders flicked the ball over the advancing keeper for a superb solo effort. It was soon two as captain Dave Barron slotted home a penalty corner.

As Carlisle controlled the game Richard Hogg got his second and Carlisle's third as his attempted reverse hit was scuffed over the line from close range. Being three nil up, Carlisle should have played the game out, but a mistake at the back gifted Northop Hall a way back into the game.

With the last ten minutes being harder than they needed to for Carlisle, they survived a few hairy moments before clinching the three points.

Carlisle travel to Deeside next week.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Jonny Wilson, Mike Bowen, Ally Richards, Darran Illidge, Richard Hogg, Matt Holmes, Olly Kendrick, Steven Boyd, Neil Sands, Don Cramb

25/11/06 - Deeside 5v2 Carlisle 1s

Carlisle 1s slipped away from the leaders in NW division 4 with another away defeat, as they continued to be unable to win back-to-back games.

Carlisle were missing the movement of regular forward Ally Richards and struggled to create chances early in the game and were soon one nil down after a foot foul was incorrectly awarded against Jonny Wilson. Carlisle looked for an equaliser but it was Deeside got the second in controversial fashion as the ball appeared to be struck on the back of the stick.

Neil Boothby got one back for Carlisle and then continued their comeback in the second half as Darran Illidge picked up the ball on the edge of the D before moving around the area until there was an angle to shoot, which he took, but as Carlisle went for an equaliser they squandered a number of chances before Deeside made sure of the points with two late goals.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Jonny Wilson, Mike Bowen, Darran Illidge, Richard Hogg, Matt Holmes, Olly Kendrick, Steven Boyd, Neil Boothby, Neil Sands

Carlisle play Wigan at home next week.

02/12/06 - Carlisle 1s 8v1 Wigan

Carlisle maintained fifth place in NW Division 4 with a comfortable win against seventh placed Wigan.

Neil Sands scored two early goals to get Carlisle on their way before Jonny Wilson failed to clear the ball in the D and was tackled setting up Wigan's goal.

The Wigan comeback was short-lived as Darran Illidge got another for Carlisle before Dave Barron scored only his second in 5 games to tie with Olly Kendrick for top scorer.

In the second half Neil Sands got his hat-trick from a penalty corner before man of the match Steven Boyd set him up for his fourth and Carlisle's sixth.

Olly Kendrick then regained the top scorer mantel for the season bagging two late goals taking his personal tally to 10 for the season.

Carlisle are away to Oxton next week.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Jonny Wilson, Mike Bowen, Ally Richards, Darran Illidge, Richard Hogg, Matt Holmes, Olly Kendrick, Steven Boyd, Neil Sands, Don Cramb

09/12/06 - Oxton 0v2 Carlisle 1s

With a number of players missing, Carlisle's first team called up a number of players from the seconds for their trip to Oxton.

With midfielder Craig Holliday and striker Mike Graham playing from the start the firsts were hoping that their experience in winning away games would benefit them and after the opening exchanges it was Olly Kendrick who fired Carlisle ahead.

in an open game Carlisle had their chances to extend their lead without finding the final pass and despite a number of penalty corners for both teams, it remained one nil at half time.

The game continued to be open but it was Mike Graham that clinched the points for Carlisle with his first of the season for the first team.

Carlisle's next game is away to Alderley Edge on 13 January.

Carlisle: Dave Barron (c), Mark Hutchinson, Jonny Wilson, Mike Bowen, Richard Hogg, Matt Holmes, Olly Kendrick, Steven Boyd, Craig Holliday, Mike Graham, Mark Bingham

13/01/07 - Alderley Edge Men’s 3 v. Carlisle Men’s 1

With three established first team players absent this week, it was a changed Carlisle side that made the trip to Alderley Edge.  The game started briskly, and Alderley demonstrated straightaway that their young side were prepared to pass the ball freely.  Alderley enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening period of the match, and resolute defending was necessary to negate their promising attacks.

The pressure eventually told, as Alderley scored from one of the several short corners that the Carlisle defenders were giving away.  Matt Holmes was the unlucky defender, who deflected the strike into the goal with his foot.

Carlisle really did have their backs against the wall when midfielder Oli Kendrick was injured, whilst playing the ball on the edge of his own D.  When a ball flew up rather innocuously to catch Oli painfully in the groin, Carlisle were down to ten men for about fifteen minutes while Oli regained his composure.

Despite being outnumbered, Carlisle started to get more into the game. The positive play paid off when Dave Barron netted from a well drilled short corner routine.

The second half was a more open affair, with both teams looking to turn defence into attack.  Again Alderley enjoyed most of the possession and territory, while Carlisle were forced to soak up pressure in defence.  Carlisle’s best chance of the half fell to Dave Barron, who narrowly missed from close range, after a scrappy short corner attempt.

At the final whistle, the Carlisle team were happy enough to share the points, and pleased with the performances of Mike Graham, Chris Jopson, and Rob Gordon, who stepped into the breach to cover absent players.  This week’s Man of the Match Award was shared: Matt Holmes’ performance at the heart of the defence gained special mention from the opposition, and Mark Hutchinson’s ever dependable goalkeeping kept Carlisle in the match. 

Players: M.Hutchison, J.Wilson, M.Holmes, R.Gordon, M.Bowen, O.Kendrick, S.Boyd, C.Jopson, D.Illidge, M.Graham, D.Barron.

20/01/07 - Carlisle 1s 5v0 Manchester Trinity 1s

It was an under strength Trinity side that took to the pitch. Indeed, being only nine players strong and lacking an experienced goalkeeper, Carlisle could have been forgiven for thinking that they would have an easy afternoon.

Nevertheless, Trinity started brightly and shared the possession fairly evenly with Carlisle in the first half. Despite their disadvantage, Trinity threatened sporadically on the break, and flashed a couple of shots, which narrowly missed the Carlisle goal.

Carlisle’s passing played failed to gain fluidity, and never did they capitalise on their numerical advantage to full effect. Too often they gave the ball away cheaply, and failed to pressure Trinity in the final quarter of the pitch. However, the breakthrough eventually came when Carlisle scored twice in quick succession before the half-time break.

To their credit, Trinity battled on, and matched Carlisle for much of the second half. Again Trinity created chances, and were perhaps unlucky not to be rewarded with a consolation goal for their efforts. At times Carlisle’s play was rushed and lacked composure in attack, and in defence players dived prematurely into tackles all too often. Don Cramp was the exception as he made several well-timed blocks in and around the Carlisle D. Don did not have everything his own way though, as he was later warned by the umpire for a badly timed challenge on the left touchline.

Trinity inevitably tired and Olly Kendrick started to exploit the acres of space his was afforded in the wide right position. Carlisle scored three more times in the closing stages of the match. On one occasion, Darran Illidge was fouled just inside the Trinity D, but was strong enough to ride the challenge and slot his strike in the corner of the net for a good goal.
The pick of the goals also involved good set up play from Darran Illidge on the right wing. After dummying inside and beating the defender on the outside, he sent his pass across on the D for Ally Richards to score decisively from close range.

The paradox of playing poorly, but winning 5-0, left the Carlisle players feeling a little deflated. Although pleased with the win, they know that they will have to raise their game to match the league’s in-form side, Neston, next week.

Carlisle players: Mark Hutchinson, Richard Hogg, Matt Holmes, Don Cramp, Olly Kendrick, Neil Sands, Rob Thomas, Mike Bowen, Craig Holliday, Mike Graham, Dave Barron, Darran Illidge

27/01/07 Neston South Wirral 2s 2 – 1 Carlisle 1s

Carlisle travelled to Neston knowing that both teams would be keen to collect three points, to put pressure on the top two clubs in the league in the pursuit of promotion positions.

Neston started brightly and passed the ball competently with good ball speed. Although they enjoyed the most of the possession in the opening period of the match, the Carlisle defence was up to the challenge. Carlisle defended stoically as a team, and Neston failed to create many real opportunities to threaten the Carlisle goal. In the tight and competitive match that was developing, Carlisle started to find their own passing game.
The Carlisle midfield linked well, but Carlisle never managed to create attacking chances in and around the Neston D.

Neston enjoyed a little good fortune in their first goal. The ball was struck towards goal from a Neston free hit on the edge of the Carlisle D.
The Neston centre forward got the faintest of touches on the ball to deflect it on its way into the goal.

In the second half, Carlisle took the game to Neston, and started to enjoy more possession. However, Neston soon had another goal. Playing high, the Neston striker was played a long ball. Although he was channelled to the left away from goal, he held the ball up well, and was able to cross the ball to a supporting player, running through from midfield, for an easy finish.

Carlisle refused to give up though, and soon gave themselves hope of a revival. An attack down the left seemed to have fizzled out before Johnny Wilson, the Carlisle left back, lifted an aerial down the line. Stephen Boyd ran though to bring the ball down, and drew a foul from the Neston defenders as he dribbled into the D. From the resulting short corner, a Neston defender kicked the ball on the goal line, and gave away a penalty flick. Neil Sands slotted the ball low to the left to score the flick, and put Carlisle right back into the game.

Further chances failed to materialise for Carlisle, and given the scarcity of good goal-scoring opportunities, Carlisle could not argue with the final score of 2-1. Carlisle will have another chance to take points off the league promotion contenders Bolton, when the teams play at St Aidan’s next Saturday.

Carlisle players: M.Hutchinson, J.Wilson, M.Holmes, J.Richards, D.Illidge, N.Sands, S.Boyd, C.Holliday, M.Graham, A.Richards, D.Barron(capt.)
 

04/2/07 Carlisle 1s 1 – 1 Bolton 2s

Carlisle went into yesterday’s match against promotion hopefuls Bolton needing a win to prolong their own battle to gain promotion. It was a cagey start for the home team however, and they allowed Bolton to find their rhythm, as the Carlisle passing game stuttered. Bolton were soon in the ascendancy, and enjoyed more possession, as too many Carlisle passes went astray. Often Carlisle players found themselves isolated in possession, and a lack of running of the ball meant that short passes were not available.

Bolton capitalised on their advantage midway through the first half. From a short corner, the ball was hit out straight to the man standing left of centre. The Carlisle defenders were unable to cover the angle of the shot, as the ball was struck sweetly against the back board.

Carlisle reacted positively. They started to switch the play a little more, a managed to find space on two occasions attacking down the left. Accident prone Olly Kendrick was forced to leave the field after damaging his ankle by standing on a stick.

The Carlisle team bucked up their ideas in the second half, and started to play more competitive, if not more attractive, hockey. The introduction of fresh legs from the Carlisle substitute bench turned the tide for a period, and Carlisle capitalised on a period of pressure when Dave Barron scored from a short corner routine to equalise.

The Bolton players’ competitive urge cannot be questioned, but this characteristic manifested itself not just in their play, but in the frequent challenging of the umpires’ decisions. Indeed, Bolton managed to hold out for a ten minute spell, when one of their players was yellow carded for swearing.

Bolton once again looked like the most likely team to nick a win in the closing minutes. Carlisle rushed their play and gave the ball away. The hard fought game finished one goal each, leaving Carlisle in fourth place in the league, but a full eight points behind the third placed team.

Carlisle: D Barron (c), M Hutchinson, J Wilson, M Holmes, J Richards, O Kendrick, S Boyd, A Young, M Bowen, D Illidge, R Gordon, A Richards, C Holliday, M Graham, T Lawson

17/02/07 - Carlisle 1st 5 - 0 Bowden 5th

A weakened Bowden Team arrived from Manchester with only ten players for the fixture. Carlisle were, however, also below strength with attacking midfield maestro Kendrick (ankle) and defensive rock Holmes (virus) both sidelined.

Carlisle began the game in dominant fashion with the defence and midfield dictating play, a trend that was to continue throughout the game. Good work by Tom Lawson on the left set up Neil Sands who slotted home a powerful opening goal. Carlisle continued to dominate play and were soon two up when the veteran Ally Richards slotted home for a second. It was not long before the game was put beyond reach of Bowden as the ball broke to Mike Bowen on the right hand side of the ‘D’ who leathered in an emphatic third for Carlisle.

Carlisle were then guilty of taking there foot off the gas before half time allowing Bowden to even up possession. The second half proved to be frustrating for Carlisle as the vintage forward line spurned a number of relatively easy chances. Nearer the end of the half Ally Richards redeemed himself for some of the missed chances by bravely diving in at the back post to convert a mishit short corner routine. A late goal from Neil Sands helped to add a touch of gloss to the score line.

Next week sees top of the Table Bowen 4ths visit Carlisle, which promises to be a much sterner test for the home side

Man of the Match : Steve Boyd

Team: M Hutchinson, J Wilson, D Cramb, J Richards, T Lawson, S Boyd, N Sands, M Bowen, D Illidge, D Barron, A Richards,

24/02/07 - Carlisle Men's 1sts 3 v 2 Bowden 4ths

After putting 5 past Bowden 5ths last week Carlisle new that they would be in for a much sterner test against, top of the table, Bowden 4ths. Carlisle started brightly with the midfield combining well to set up Neil Sands who rocketed home an opening goal for Carlisle. Bowden were noticeably rattled with Carlisle continuing to enjoy sustained pressure. This was not to last, however, as Bowden's skilful youngsters began to trouble Carlisle's defence.Just before the interval there was a cruel double blow for Carlisle as Bowden broke quickly for an equaliser and immediately after the goal J Wilson was yellow carded for poor tackling in its build-up.

Carlisle survived with 10 men until the break, when tactical adjustments were made. After the break it was 10-man Carlisle who gained the upper hand when a long range pass from Neil Sands found Darren Illidge whose deft lob beat the keeper. Bowden again came back at Carlisle but Carlisle's defence, led excellently by Don Cramb and Jonny Richards, repelled a number of short corners. Against the run of play Mike Bowen found Neil Sand's on the edge of the area, who beat a defender before giving Carlisle a two-goal cushion.
This goal meant that a midfielder went top of Carlisle's scoring charts for the season.

Bowden managed to pull a scrappy goal back, which caused a nerve-wracking last ten-minutes. Carlisle, however, managed to hold on for a memorable win.

Man of the Match: Neil Sands

Team; M Hutchinson, J Richards, D Cramb, J Wilson, M Holmes, M Bowen, S Boyd, N Sands, R Hogg, T Lawson, D Illidge, D Barron, M Graham, A Richards

03/03/07 - Carlisle 1sts 1 v 3 Northop Hall 2nds

Carlisle made the long trip to north Wales with a weakened team due to injury and illness. The game did not start well for Carlisle as they conceded a short corner early in the game. The umpire caused confusion by talking to the Northop Hall player taking the corner, who in the mean time took the corner resulting in a disputed goal. Shortly afterwards another disputed penalty corner was awarded causing consternation in the Carlisle ranks resulting in two players being officially warned with green cards.
Carlisle managed to hold Northop Hall at bay for the most of the remainder of the 1st half, without creating many chances themselves, until just before the break when Northop Hall managed to force a 2nd goal.

The second half started brighter for Carlisle with Tom Lawson winning a short corner early in the half. From the resultant penalty corner Richard Hogg produced a relatively weak drag flick which still somehow managed to beat the keeper. This gave Carlisle renewed belief, but still Northop Hall created more chances and enjoyed more possession. Credit must be given to goalkeeper Mark Hutchinson and deputising defenders Richard Hogg and Mike Bowen that Carlisle did not concede more than the one late goal, which ended the game as a contest.

Man of the Match: Mike Bowen

Team: M Hutchinson, R Hogg, M Holmes, M Bowen, C Holliday, S Boyd, T Lawson, A Young, D Illidge, D Barron, M Graham
 

10/03/07 - Carlisle Men's 1sts 3 vs 3 Oxton Men's 3rds

Carlisle played their 2nd last home game like a team resigned to mid table oblivion. Carlisle did not start well, letting their visitors from Liverpool dominate from the start. After some confusion on the left of the Carlisle defence Oxton opened the scoring in the opening five minutes. Oxton continued to enjoy more of the ball with Carlisle still not able to assert themselves in the game. Midway through the half the inevitable happened and after some more shaky defending Oxton scored their second goal

This acted as a wake up call for Carlisle, who after a tactical substitution, managed to fight back into the game. A hopeful ball into the Oxton area resulted in a scrappy goal from Darren Illidge. Carlisle continued to push and seconds before the half time whistle a cross from Mike Bowen picked out an exquisitely timed run from Ally Richards who slotted home for an equaliser.

The second half worryingly, for Carlisle, followed a similar pattern to the first for Carlisle. Oxton again caused the defence problems and following a shot from a short corner Don Cramb unfortunately managed to deflect the ball into his own goal. As the half drew on it was looking likely that Carlisle would suffer a second successive defeat. However, Don Cramb picked the ball up at right back and hit defence-splitting through ball to Darren Illidge who levelled the scores again. Oxton had not long restarted the game when the final whistle sounded.


Man of the Match: Ally Richards/Daren Illidge (joint)

Team: M Hutchinson, R Hogg, J Wilson, M Holmes, M Bowen, D Cramb, S Boyd, N Sands, T Lawson, A Richards, D Illidge, D Barron, M Graham

17/03/07 - Wigan 2 3 – 2 Carlisle

Carlisle failed to perform in the opening fifteen minutes of their fixture against bottom of the table Wigan. Soon they found themselves a goal down.
A good strike from the top of the D was saves by goalkeeper Mark Hutchinson, but the rebound was hit home by a Wigan player lurking unmarked on the right of the D.

Wigan soon doubled their advantage. They switched a short corner to the right, but defender Johnny Wilson anticipated the danger and moved forward to block the shot. The ball caught the top of the unfortunate defender’s stick and flew high into the net.

Carlisle started to get back into the game, and Darran Illidge reduced the arrears from a short corner. Carlisle worked the ball to the right, where Steven Boyd squared the ball across the D, for Darren to score from close range.

At 2-1 down at half time, Carlisle were back in the match. Soon they were level when Darran Illidge scored again from a short corner. The first shot was saved, but he was able to flick the ball home at the second attempt.

Carlisle matched their opponents for much of the second half, and were unlucky not to take the lead when man of the match Richard Hogg went close with a drag-flick attempt. Wigan nicked the win by scoring with ten minutes to go. A miss-hit shot found a player at the far post for an easy tap in from close range. Carlisle were disappointed to lose a close game, and returned to Cumbria ruing the early lead which they had afforded the opposition.

Carlisle: M Hutchinson, J Wilson, M Holmes, L Gallagher, M Bowen, S Boyd, T Lawson, R Hogg, D Illidge, D Barron, M Graham, C Holliday

24/03/07 - Carlisle 1sts 2 v 2 Deeside Ramblers 3rds

The penultimate game of the season echoed what has been frustrating season for Carlisle Men’s 1st team. After a promising start, lack of concentration at key times let a good position slip. Carlisle started the game well with plenty of possession. Good work by Tom Lawson won a short corner, which stand-in corner striker Darren Illidge expertly converted. Despite not conceding a short corner, or notable chance for the entire first half the score remained 1 -0 at the break.

The second half continued in a similar manner to the first with Carlisle dominating possession. After a good ball in towards the opposition goal Olly Kendrick applied a cheeky but clinical touch to lift the ball over the helpless Deeside goalkeeper. However, in the last ten minutes Instead of consolidating this position Carlisle managed to press the self-destruct button conceding a number of short corners. This inevitably resulted in two goals from the visitors to leave the scores level at the close of the match.
It was not all doom and gloom after the match as news filtered through from Lytham that Carlisle seconds had secured promotion. Congratulations to the second team nobody's position in the firsts are safe now!

Carlisle travel to Crewe next Saturday for a rearranged fixture needing a win to secure fifth place in the league.

Darran Illidge and Neil Sands go into the match as leading scorers with 13 each with Dave Barron a close second with 12.

Man of the Match: Olly Kendrick

Team: M Hutchinson, D Thompson, R Hogg, M Holmes, M Bowen, S Boyd, T Lawson, J Richards, D Illidge, D Barron, M Graham, O Kendrick