Carlisle 0-4 U's: Bore The Brunt

A long trip up North bore fruit for the U's on Saturday

Back to the must wins then. Following a commendable but predictable humbling at Pompey, the United turned their attention to the foot of the table once again in desperate need of performance. Neil Harris softened on his scathing review of the team's shortcomings versus Cheltenham and chose a more constructive tact after full-time at Fratton Park. It was clear Harris needed to instil some belief into the side following a frustrating set of recent results and showings. In that regard, heading as far north as north can go to Brunton Park, a happy hunting ground for United in recent times with four wins and six draws taken in recent clashes, may be just what the doctor ordered. 

Carlisle seem to be going through a heightened version of what United endured for large parts of last season. With goals at a premium and a defence incapable of picking up the slack, it was clear confidence would be in short supply for United’s opponents. If United could frustrate the home crowd and suppress any early enthusiasm shown by the host’s, points surely seemed there for the taking. It’s clear that Neil Harris has added a bit of nous and grit since his arrival at the club and with the United manager lamenting the dimensions of the narrow Abbey pitch, Harris seems to be putting more emphasis on United’s ability to take points away from home, something we’ve struggled with greatly since taking the step up to League One.

Carlisle had clearly been instructed to start fast with the Blues struggling to take leads in games. Following a spell of early promise, Carlisle had a penalty appeal turned away by the referee as George Thomas followed his runner back into the United box. After a predictably lively start from the home side, Jack Stevens took it upon himself to take the sting out of the game as he had his ear tickled by the shin of Jon Mellish. The United keeper had clearly been taking notes when Burton visited the Abbey a few games prior with the Burton keeper spending a large part of the game firmly on his back, to the fury of the Abbey crowd. Michael Morrison followed soon after also making an appointment with the magic sponge. With everyone patched up, the sting had been taken out of the early proceedings.

United could feel the frustration building inside Brunton Park and seized their moment with a glorious move out from the back sweeping through Carlisle’s defence with a string of incisive passes. With the ball arriving swiftly onto Jack Lankester’s left foot, the U’s winger spotted his counterpart, Sullay Kaikai coming in off the left wing. The weight of the pass meant the United winger had time and space to square up his man as he set the ball out on his favoured right and slotted the opener home with seeming ease. One nil United.

With a crucial lead secured, confidence grew within the United ranks with Danny Andrew’s audacious free kick attempt grazing the side netting, the closest the U’s would come before the break. Once play resumed, so did United. Kaikai seemingly involved heavily whenever the U’s threatened. With a team struggling in the way Carlisle have been, sometimes all you have to do, once in the ascendancy, is hand them a gun and encourage them to point it at their foot, whereby they'll do the rest. Kaikai got the memo just shy of the 70th minute, firing a tame bouncing cross in off the right, seemingly into the arms of Carlisle keeper Harry Lewis, only for him to mishandle the ball and bounce it off his retreating centre halves head into the net to double the advantage. 

With that, the dye had been cast. Any seasoned football fan will know, once a goal like that goes in, it just isn’t your day. United smelt blood and wanted to put the game out of sight. As Carlilse looked to reply quickly to the own goal, getting men up the pitch, substitute James Brophy pinched the ball off an under hit ball wide and countered. Lyle Taylor ambled beyond Brophy before firing the ball with the outside of his foot, right onto Elias Kahunga’s obliging forehead. Taylor and Kachunga seem to be building a very tidy little partnership together. Points secured.

With the home fans heading for the exits, United fancied adding a little cherry on the cake. As the ball bounced back to Kaikai following his corner, he perfectly picked out Ryan Bennett at the back stick for the U’s defender to nod home. Before Bennett had time to get out the almost inevitable cartwheel and gun fingers a la Robbie Keane, he was engulfed by his teammates, all keen to get a glimpse of something resembling a smile from the notoriously placid centre-back.

A thoroughly professional and ruthless away display from United who rewarded the hardy travelling Amber Nation for their 500 mile round trip. Honourable mention goes to Sullay Kaikai. The United winger could be accused of going missing at times in games but when he’s on it, he can be a real difference maker and someone who can get goals and assists from wide. It’s clear Neil Harris will be relying on him to keep the two tallies ticking over from now until the end of the season, if United are to keep clear of the drop zone and provide that foil for the promising strike partnership of Taylor and Kachunga. 

Now it’s back to the high flyers, as United replay the Bolton fixture before the derby next weekend at the Abbey. Let’s hope we can take the confidence from the win and give the Abbey faithful something to shout about.

Soundtrack of the Match: Proclaimers - 500 Miles