Craig Farrell was left alone up front with Richie Foran relegated to the subs' bench after a groin strain. A five-man midfield started the game with Stuart Green looking to fill the hole behind Farrell. The weather was always going to be a big factor at this small compact ground just a few miles inland from the North Sea. Boston started off with a bit of early pressure and a corner forced inside the first minute. United hit back and forced a corner of their own in the third minute. Boston's second corner on 6 minutes found its way on to the head of Paul Ellender but the ball bounced wide. Then Stuart Douglas and Mark Angel combined well with Angel firing over the bar. An Angel shot deflected but was claimed by Glennon when Richard Logan should have made better contact as he slid in. The home team were well on top and playing an effective direct game with United's midfield very quiet. Logan got in a shot on target but Glennon had plenty of time to get down and claim it. Carlisle's best early chance came on 16 minutes when Adam Rundle set up Mark Hudson who drilled just wide. Douglas then got away well to set up Logan but Kelly stayed close and got in a block to concede another corner. On 24 minutes Mark Birch went in late on Angel and received a yellow card. Boston won another corner and Raven headed out. For some reason a goal kick was awarded as the home players protested vehemently. Boston went close again when Weatherstone turned cleverly and put in a cross but Douglas headed narrowly wide. Hudson received a knock and had to get treatment from Neil Dalton as half-time approached. Kelly conceded another corner as Boston continued to hold sway. From the kick Glennon was quick to claim Ellender's weak header and set off a counter-attack that saw Rundle find Farrell but the big striker's shot lacked power. Then Farrell was flattened as Paul Bastock came out and punched out a McCarthy cross. The difficult wind was in Carlisle's favour in the second half. A big reprieve came for United just two minutes in when sub Peter Duffield hit a shot that came back off the upright and Glennon pounced on the loose ball as Douglas lurked. Veteran Neil Redfearn helped set up another corner on 51 minutes when his shot was deflected wide. From the kick Redfearn got in to volley a swerving shot that was taken wide only by the strong wind. United were now living on their nerves. Hudson made a good run to set up Green but the young midfield ace didn't get the best contact and sliced wide. Simon Weatherstone fired wide on the hour as the home team continued to adapt to the conditions better. Duffield got involved and set up Angel who brought a save out of Glennon. Then Angel missed a golden chance when he beat McCarthy and fired over the bar from barely 8 yards out. Luck was definitely on the Cumbrians' side and Roddy Collins wasn't satisfied, taking off Hudson and bringing on Foran. This was intended to give Farrell more support as he had looked increasingly isolated. United were starting to play some football at last and Foran collected a Green pass and brought a save out of Bastock. Collins second change was September's hat-trick hero Brian Wake on for Farrell with 14 minutes left. Conditions were making life difficult and the ball was bouncing backwards and forwards with neither side able to control it for any length of time. McCarthy made a good dribble with 9 minutes left and forced a corner which Raven came up for. Green's delivery was poor though and Bastock claimed comfortably. Douglas brought a save out of Glennon and the ball was hastily cleared for a corner. Douglas then got up to head wide from the kick. Redfearn tried a speculative effort but it went straight to Glennon. Kelly collected a booking late on for a minor infringement. Birch conceded a corner as the Pilgrims forced more pressure. A scrappy game was mercifully brought to an end after just a minute of added time. Al's verdict: A desperately poor game, in poor conditions. We'll be happy enough with a point against a team who are fairly strong at home. Our attacking intent was limited and it took the belated introduction of Foran to get us into the game at all. Up to that point it had been mostly Boston pressure and a bit of luck was needed to keep the home side out. In the circumstances, a fourth clean sheet in five games must be very welcome. It remains very tight at the bottom with all to play for. |
