COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From My Seat: Carlisle Utd (H)

By Ken Buckley :  02/01/2010 :  Comments (16) :

Through to the next round from a match that had a bit of everything. Dreadful back-pass, comic defending, enforced substitution of a right back that changed the game, obliging cross-bar, bizarre one-two for a goal and a lower league ref intent on promotion.

The visitors came ‘up for the cup’. The fans took up full allocation and completely out-shouted and out-sang the home faithful, their team had come to pit their skills, endeavour and sheer grit against a Premier League outfit and, until running out of steam late on, made a very good fist of it. They won the toss and made us kick toward the Street End first, a psychological ploy? Maybe.

The game started at frantic pace with neither side able to get a foot on it and play. Then Fellaini started to have early influence from his midfield berth and it seemed an early goal would settle us down and make for a more controlled game. The goal duly came on the 10-min mark courtesy of a dreadful attempt at a back pass of some yardage from their central defender; the speedy Vaughan was on to it in a flash and after expertly rounding the keeper slotted home. Now we could settle and get the footy going... well, that was my thought... but this was a cup-tie and defied such thoughts.

Carlisle ran and fought, we scampered around misplacing passes and being less than determined in the 50/50s. Just 7mins after taking the lead, Fellaini, who was looking our only player truly up for it, went into a tackle with two of their players, left them on the deck and came away with the ball only for the ref to blow and book the unfortunate Belgian.

From the free kick, the ball was played out to their left wing and a cross-cum-shot came in that was deflected by Howard then eluded two Everton defenders near the line and Hurst tapped and found the corner of the net. The travelling fans went berserk and were only beaten into second place for jubilation by the Greeks of Athens. It was a bit of a shock all round and the half continued in good old-fashioned cup-tie cut and thrust.

The fact we were playing a League One team and seemingly being drawn down to their level was not going down well with the faithful, Cahill and Bilyaletdinov being at the forefront for abuse. Attack we did, though, and Cahill had a shot parried away by the keeper but only to Vaughan who thumped it into the net but the linesman’s flag ruled it out for offside. Then a good cross from Baines saw a diving header from Vaughan go wide.

Carlisle would not lie down and attacked when they could and you could just see the level of nervousness from our rearguard. Howard was tested from 20 yds which got the faithful even more agitated.

Fellaini was our one player of real influence and in one 50/50 both he and the Carlisle player needed treatment but, when he went off to come back on, the ref ran over to issue a final warning to him without a word to the Carlisle player, talk about making a name for yourself! Fellaini shrugged it off and he got us going again; but for luck and good keeping, both Pienaar and Fellaini himself could have restored our lead before the break.

Half-time and the chat was of less than complimentary remarks but also a belief that surely we would get it together second half.

Whatever the manager said at half time made little difference as Carlisle were all over us and, early on, with Neill lying prostrate in the area, Howard saved a 20-yarder and then beat away a fierce cross shot from Hurst. The crowd now were most animated and their frustrations seemed to be getting to the players as passes failed to find their mark and hoofball was becoming more prevalent, such was our disarray, which led to the chant from the away fans "Premier league – you're having a laff!"

Neville was booked for taking a free-kick to quickly and then, on 70 mins, Carlisle hit the bar with Howard beaten and all of this when we had been having the greater share of possession without looking like doing anything dangerous with it. The best we could offer was a deflected Pienaar shot just before the last ten.

Hibbert limped off to be replaced by Coleman and this turned out to be one of our best substitutions for some time. From his introduction, he was full of verve and caused trouble for Carlisle with some incisive attacking play down the right. Just 2 mins after his introduction he went past two defenders, put in a deep cross, Bilyaletdinov headed down well into the path of Cahill who shot, his effort seemed to hit both Fellaini and Harte and luckily bounce back to him, he shot again — this time the net rustled.... Oh the relief all around. I believe this was Cahill’s 50th goal for us.

The Carlisle legs had now gone and we saw out the remaining minutes with much more composure, taking the ball into corners as well as keeping it well. Agard, who had come on late for Vaughan, was sent hurtling through on the death, his speed was too great for the defenders but as he went to round the keeper he was sent hurtling to the turf. Penalty, said the ref who booked the keeper.

Up stepped Baines and as he ran forward I heard the shout of the match as a wag cried ‘Miss the first man!’ — he duly did and a 3-1 scoreline would convince all except those in attendance that a routine win had been achieved. The faithful gave a good round of applause to both teams at the end, I dread to think what the reaction may have been but for those last ten minutes.

Overall, a typical cup tie that was good viewing even if most frustrating for fans of a Blue persuasion. We are in the hat for the next round and that is the name of the game in knockout competitions. My M.o.t.M was Fellaini, in fact I thought he was our only player to show true Premiership quality throughout, a point not lost on the Carlisle fans who booed him throughout.

Although not the best of performances on the field, I found the most worrying thing was the make-up of the bench which seemed to indicate we are once again down to the bare bones. The starting eleven being the sum total of senior pros available. Good luck to Manager and Board in the January window.

Still, let's hope for a home draw tomorrow and the speedy return of the injured. Next up: Arsenal... and I believe they are better than Carlisle, so some improvement in all areas would be of benefit.

See you there
UP THE BLUES

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