The travelling Blue Army filled one end of the ground and appeared to outnumber the home fans. They were watching a changed United line-up with big Kevin Gray back in defence after missing the Canvey match through suspension and Andy Preece drafted in up front. Lee Andrews and Kevin Henderson dropped down to the bench. The game kicked off with the Cumbrians doing all the early pressing, Roca and McGill getting into good wide positions but their early deliveries were not quite good enough to bring about chances. Northwich's first shot didn't arrive until the 11th minute when Steve Garvey sliced well wide. Roy Hunter then tried a deflected shot that Glennon grabbed on to at the second attempt. Some slack play by United in defence led to a half-chance as Victoria forced a corner with a deflected effort. Glennon though caught Garvey's kick with aplomb. Roca then won the ball well in the middle of the park and shot just over the bar. Lumsden fed Hawley who shot on the turn from 25 yards but the ball sailed harmlessly wide. A minute later Hawley did well to put in a cross that found Preece's head in space but the keeper made a comfortable save. A few moments later Hawley produced another good turn and a fine shot that the keeper Connett tipped over to concede a corner. Murphy's kick was met by Gray who nodded across the box towards Cowan who just failed to make contact. Roca put in a rasping shot that cleared the bar from 30 yards as United continued to put on the pressure. Roca shimmied his way through again on 35 minutes but was just unable to find Preece as Carlisle controlled the play and camped themselves in the Northwich half. The veteran striker was putting himself about to good effect and forced another corner on 37 minutes. Hawley met the corner with a solid header but it flew just over the bar. Billy fed McGill whose cross in was met by the supporting Billy whose header lacked power. The home side finally slipped upfield and Quayle fired narrowly over. The breakthrough had to come soon and so it proved with a minute to half-time. The tricky Roca made it with another good run and his pass found Hawley whose finish was precise and effective. United went in with their heads high after dominating the closing stages and fully deserving of their lead. The rain began to fall during the interval. United started the second half well, forcing a corner in the first minute. The visitors then forced a corner themselves which brought a cross that Glennon had to parry. The big keeper then had to palm the ball over after a deep cross almost deceived him. The second United corner of the half brought further joy. Lumsden's delivery was perfect for the mighty Gray to meet it and hammer it home with his forehead. United had barely settled on their lead when Mark Devlin got clear through the middle and lifted the ball over Glennon to bring the home side back into it. Hawley again turned well on the hour but his shot only found the car park. A few minutes later there was a frantic search for a spare ball after another clearance saw the ball spiralling out of the ground and down the road. A ball was found and on 61 minutes Billy thought he had made it 3-1 when he picked up Preece's flick to seemingly score but he was flagged for offside. Northwich stunned United when ex-United player Allan scorched home a 30-yarder past Glennon with 63 minutes elapsed. The home team grew in confidence and Glennon was forced to make a good save to keep the scores level. Preece made way for Farrell as Carlisle tried to raise their game again. Murphy ran into the box on 68 minutes and appeared to be blatantly brought down but the ref turned away penalty appeals. Roca was put away and put the ball wide but the ref gave United a free kick, failing to play an obvious advantage. Farrell blasted the kick against the defensive wall and from the rebound Roca crossed straight into Connett's arms. Cowan got on the end of a Lumsden cross and was wide with his header. McGill headed a Roca cross downwards for Lumsden to slightly mis-hit his shot across goal and wide. Hawley made a terrific chance for himself with a good run and shot that brought a save and another corner. The closing minutes brought end to end stuff as both sides scented a winner. United still looking the more likely as Roca and Hawley tried to get in behind the home defence. With five minutes added on for stoppages, they still had chances to claim the points. Billy set up McGill with a minute left but Connett got down well to save. Al's verdict: Two games played and just two points on the board. There was no doubt we should have seen off a modest Northwich side tonight but our inability to put away chances and defend our lead was to prove costly. Allan's goal apart, there was little seen from the home attack to worry Glennon and quite how with all the possession and chances we didn't manage to win the game is a bit of a mystery. Roca continues to enthral and frustrate in equal measures while McGill still can't find consistent quality in his crosses. Lumsden is shaping up well though and the return of Gray lifted the whole of the team. So a rather disappointing start to the season but at least we haven't lost and we should be going down to Forest Green on Saturday very confident of picking up our first three points. |
