United's heroes included Richie Foran, who made the breakthrough with the first goal in the second half and keeper Matty Glennon who collected the sponsors man of the match award for a great penalty save immediately after the sending off and an inspired double save in the second half when the Imps also managed to hit the woodwork twice in the same goalmouth scramble. With Mark Summerbell, Leon Osman and Des Byrne out, Roddy Collins was once again forced to rejig. Fortunately winger Brendan McGill was fit to play but he started on the bench. Will McDonagh and Mark Birch formed the midfield core with Foran joining Craig Farrell and John Sutton up front in an attack-minded line-up. The visitors made an impressive start and could have been ahead early on when Ben Sedgemore's header floated inches wide of the right-hand post. The incident which shaped the whole afternoon came after 20 minutes when Peter Gain shot from the left edge of the area, beating Glennon but Darren Kelly standing on the line appeared to use his arm to keep the ball out and referee Mr Salisbury, whose last contribution to our season was to set up Torquay's winner (inadvertently) last month, awarded a penalty kick and waved a red card at Kelly. It could have been a double blow from which the Cumbrians would never recover but instead Glennon made his second penalty save of the week as he dived to keep out Sedgemore's kick. This was remarkably the fifth penalty in six that Carlisle's opponents have failed to convert this season. Carlisle began to grow in confidence, Roddy Collins making an inevitable switch with Sutton replaced with McGill as they reverted to a more practical two men up front. Baldacchino fired in a shot that Alan Marriott tipped over and then Birch joining from midfield hit a shot that was deflected wide. For a side a man short United didn't look to be second best and Roddy Collins must have been pleased at half-time with the effort on show. The second half saw that confidence bring the vital opening goal when Foran, lurking just onside collected the ball on the left hand edge of the area and turned to fire in a left foot drive past Marriott and into the opposite corner. The Imps response was to hit the bar from a header and from the rebound Glennon pulled off a great point blank save. As the ball bounced around the area, Glennon made another stop and the ball came back off the post. Eventually the burly stopper fell on the ball as the home supporters roared their relief. The second goal which arrived after 67 minutes was the killer. Farrell was put through by the excellent McGill and held his nerve to drill a shot from just inside the box under the advancing Marriott to put the battling 10-man Cumbrians in the driving seat. Farrell almost added another shortly after when his industrious play created an opening but he fired just wide of Marriott's near post. Lincoln had not really looked like clawing their back but they registered a goal in the final two minutes of normal time when big Ben Futcher side footed home a loose ball from close range. In the closing seconds of normal time the bustling Farrell collided with Marriott inside the box to bring about the only major stoppage of the half. Despite that Mr Salisbury added on four minutes of time, to enrage home fans. Carlisle held firm and denied the Imps any clear chances to bring a huge roar at the end as United reached the Second Round and another step nearer to a potentially lucrative third round tie. Al's verdict: This just gets better and better. An under-strength side reduced to 10 men fight tooth and nail to totally deserve a great Cup victory. I can't remember many better than this in recent times. I thought we had a bit of luck at times, but you make your own luck in this game and Matty Glennon in particular deserved all the luck going for another fantastic display between the sticks. After initially looking a bit bulky and out of form, he has grown in confidence (if not size) and looks every inch the keeper he was two years ago when Ian Atkins brought him to the club. McGill too was very impressive, as was Baldacchino (his best game for months) and a word too for Birch who filled in well as an emergency midfielder. Above all Farrell led the line impressively and really came to the fore after Foran was withdrawn. Four wins on the bounce - the good times are coming back. |
