Magno Vieira was back in the starting line-up for Andy Preece after being left out of the FA Cup tie last week at the behest of his club, Wigan. The team reverted to the one that defeated Hereford a fortnight ago, with Brian Shelley back in his usual right back berth. United's first attack brought the bonus of a goal in the fifth minute. Vieira produced a nice ball over the top for Karl Hawley to beat his man with a neat turn and drill a low shot into the corner of the net past Fleet keeper Wilkerson. Hawley fired at Wilkerson from 25 yards out but the keeper was right behind it. James Pinnock shot straight at Glennon after a cross in from Andy Drury. Former United trialist Roy Essandoh shot wide in the 13th minute as the home team began to play some constructive football. A minute later a Drury cross evaded everyone when a touch could have brought an equaliser. An offside flag denied Hawley a second goal on 23 minutes. The in-form striker produced another good turn three minutes later but shot narrowly wide. Another Drury cross eluded the home strikers and then Chris Billy tackled Lee Protheroe who went down in a heap and received lengthy attention. After this a Pinnock drive hit Lumsdon and went out for a corner. From the kick the ball was headed back across and Pinnock executed a fine turn and half volley to level things up. United needed to raise their game quickly and with four minutes to half-time Vieira was once again the provider with a nice ball in from the right to pick out Murphy six yards out who headed home. Vieira and Skinner went into the book after a free kick was taken too quickly and hit the Brazilian. Paul Simpson would have been happy enough at the interval but would have wanted Carlisle to get tighter to a lively home side who had had the majority of the play. Murphy was put in early in the second half, cutting inside on to his weaker right and shot well over. Gravesend put United under a bit of pressure but the Cumbrians suddenly broke out with Gray putting through Hawley who volleyed over the keeper's head with an outstanding finish. Hawley should have had his hat-trick as he shrugged off Skinner and drilled over the bar with the goal gaping. Andy Preece replaced Murphy after 62 minutes. Billy blocked a Protheroe shot. Sub Sidibe tested Glennon who was soundly behind it. Gravesend continued to pepper the Blues goal with crosses and shots, with Drury firing narrowly wide of the angle of post and bar on 70 minutes. Fleet forced three corners in 4 minutes as they continued to press for a goal to make it interesting. Glennon did well to catch the last of these kicks to ease the pressure. Carlos Roca made his comeback from two months on the sidelines when he replaced Vieira with 10 minutes remaining. Manny Omoyinmi came on for the home side. A Preece free kick was pushed out as far as Lumsdon who fired well over the bar. Cowan got a yellow card with 7 minutes left. Drury hit the outside of the post after a fine run through the Cumbrians defence. Sidibie outstripped Cowan to set up Pinnock whose shot was deflected over for a corner. Al's verdict: As in the last league game against Hereford, the result flattered us a little, but in the end it was all down to finishing again, and we took our chances excellently. Hawley has bounced back from his seven-game drought to claim three in two games and the performance of McGill was worthy of note, doing his usual non-stop running to help both in defence and attack. Murphy was again an outstanding presence going forward and his withdrawal mid-way through the second half, possibly down to a knock he has been carrying, led to another period of home pressure. Glennon held firm and in the end, there were no real alarms as we continue to grind out the results that should at least see us reach the play-offs. |
