United fans dominated the Hilton Park ground as the game kicked off with United looking to record their fifth straight league victory. The Cumbrians had just fourteen fit senior players so the team was the same that defeated Crawley on Saturday. The game began without much pattern on a surface that was slowly cutting up. Magno Vieira had a shot deflected wide for a corner in the fifth minute. Vieira had another effort a minute later which slipped just wide of the post, after Leigh given the ball away outside the box. Eleven minutes in and a mistake by defender Martin Moran allowed Brendan McGill to run on to the ball and fire past Ian Martin and put United in front. Vieira broke the offside trap and set up Hawley who fired over the bar on 18 minutes. A Paul Arnison shot a minute later was deflected out for a corner. Hawley tried a shot from range that dipped late but was well held by Martin, as United continued to control the game. A deep McGill cross brought shouts for handball as it struck a home defender. Rose fired straight at Glennon as the home side managed their first shot on target. A Murphy corner flicked off Grand's head and was only slightly wide in the 32nd minute. A minute later Glennon's punch out wasn't convincing and the lob from Gareth Stoker cleared Lee Andrews on the line to equalise. Two minutes later a Michael Byrne free kick was fumbled away by Glennon and the burly keeper needed skipper Kevin Gray to hook clear. Stoker clattered Arnison soon after as United earned a free kick to ease the pressure a little, Stoker collecting a yellow card in the process. Hawley turned and fired a tame shot wide as the visitors attempted to get back on top. Chris Meechan's effort near half-time brought a good save out of Glennon. Then Hawley made a good run and pass to Vieira who shot into the side netting from the left side of the box. Half-time saw the teams go in all square. McGill made a fine run and cross two minutes into the second half and Hawley back headed straight at the keeper. Murphy took advantage of a Robertson slip to fire at Martin with his weaker right foot. A Murphy throw-in landed at Hawley's foot, who turned and laid the ball off to McGill who drilled home into the far corner with his right foot to record his second goal and restore United's lead. Leigh brought on Andy Roscoe for Moran soon after this. Murphy made an inspirational run on 54 minutes and hit a right-footed shot that flew inches wide as Carlisle called the tune again. Murphy's curled free-kick was inches away from Gray's outstretched forehead. United forced three corners in quick succession as Leigh struggled to clear their lines. From the last of these Gray rose to head into the side netting. Chris Simm replaced Alex Meechan for RMI on 65 minutes. Cowan's long throw brought a clever flick from Hawley at the near post but was just over the angle as the Cumbrians tried to make the game safe. A Byrne challenge brought a booking from which Arnison took a free kick that found Vieira who played the ball back to Cowan, the left back drilling home from eight yards. Glennon made a point blank save from a far post header as Leigh attempted to claw their way back into the game. Another period of United pressure brought a shot from Arnison that went over. Murphy made a rapid break down the left to set up Billy who had two shots blocked before getting a third opportunity which he put away. Henderson and Farrell replaced Hawley and Vieira at this stage as Paul Simpson looked to rest his strikers for the long trip to Exeter on Saturday. Billy and Murphy immediately set up a looping Henderson header which Martin tipped over. The fifth goal arrived a minute from the end of normal time. Murphy, who deserved a goal for a superb second half, volleyed at Martin whose blunder allowed the ball into the net. Into stoppage time and the rout was complete as Farrell collected a Henderson flick and went round Martin to knock in goal number six. Steve Smith fired in a long range effort that Glennon watched fly just over as Leigh managed the last goal attempt in a one-sided contest. Al's verdict: At this rate, we look capable of dominating the Conference, although Barnet may have a thing or two to say about that. You have to go back a long way to find the last time the Blues hit 11 goals in back-to-back away games. This was the most comprehensive display of the season. Leigh looked poor on paper but their home form had not been too shabby with six goals against Aldershot and Hereford sending out a warning. Despite having most of the play, the first half was reminiscent of Northwich with the Railwaymen allowed back into the game thanks to a Glennon error. But the second period was totally one-sided and Murphy was a clear choice as Man of the Match. The trip to Exeter looks likely to be a lot more testing than this, but we take barrel-loads of confidence into it. |
