Match Report: Carlisle City 0-2 Longridge Town

Longridge travelled up the M6 to Carlisle last night for the much awaited 'top of the table' clash with Carlisle City, knowing that a victory would send them five points clear at the top of the Hallmark Security NWCFL Division One North.

Tom Ince returned after a short spell on the sidelines, but the game came too soon for injured trio Jay Hart, Alex Murphy and Phil Doughty.

On a freezing cold Cumbrian night town arrived to a superb set up and playing surface, with Carlisle sitting just two points behind Town having played a game less and boasting the League's leading goalscorer in 20 goal Rob McCartney.

The game started at a frantic pace, with three yellow cards issued in the opening 15 minutes, and both benches exchanging pleasantries, but Town were enjoying the majority of possession passing the ball around well on the excellent surface.

Tom Ince fired wide and George Melling was marshalling his defence, keeping McCartney and his fellow forwards at bay, before Town opened the scoring.

Ince and Danny Wilkinsonn had been looking to pick holes in the Home defence since the start of the game and it finally paid off after 25 minutes as Richie Allen was put through one on one with the Home keeper after a great touch from Ince.

Richie was on the ball in a flash, sending the keeper the wrong way, finishing powerfully into the bottom corner to put Town 1-0 up to the delight of the travelling faithful.

Both Joe Melling and Conor Linighan were then the victims of strong challenges from a robust Carlisle side, with Melling not making it to half time and being replaced by Gary Basterfield.

Out of the blue the Home side were then given a lifeline back into the game as Captain Morrison was adjudged to have pushed McCartney in the back.

Whilst it was against the run of play it was probably a justified decision, but Lee Dovey in the Town goal dived to his right to make a superb save from McCartney's spot kick and preserve Town's lead.

With five minutes of the half remaining Ince again found Allen at the far post.

Richie's header beat the keeper only to see an unbelievable piece of defending from Taylor, who cleared from under his own crossbar six feet off the ground with an overhead kick.

The crowd, both home and away supporters, applauded as one in recognition of what could be a match saving clearance.
Still 0-1 Town as half time approached.

The teams went in after a decent half of football, Town playing the neater passing game but Carlisle looking dangerous on the break with Melling having had an outstanding game at centre half.

After welcome cups of tea, coffee and much stamping of the feet amongst a freezing crowd, the teams emerged for what could be a defining 45 minutes in the season so far as Carlisle looked to get back into the game.

The pattern continued however with the home side tiring and Town missed several chances to increase their lead with Allen and Turner both being denied by the Home keeper.

Town were running the show now, with McCartney feeding off scraps, but frustratingly Carlsile were still in the game as Dovey made a superb flying save to keep out a thunderbolt effort from Renyard.

With 15 minutes remaining Paul Turner latched onto Wilkinson's through ball, rounded the keeper, only to lose his footing on a rapidly freezing pitch with the goal at his mercy.

It was a definite let off for the Cumbrian side, but five minutes later Danny Wilkinson broke through one on one only to see his effort parried by the keeper before being cleared off the line.

Still 0-1, as the referee indicated 5 minutes of added time.

A limping Richie Allen was replaced by Harvey Close as the clock ticked down, with Carlisle now throwing everything forward in the hope of an unlikely point.

Finally, finally Tom Ince was released by Wilkinson and ran from his own half to round the keeper and make it 0-2 in the 7th minute of time added on.

The 32 travelling supporters in a home crowd season's best of 133 went wild with joy as Town's dominance in the game was now reflected in the scoreline, as the ref blew for full time.

A superb victory and a very professional performance from the lads after a long day working followed by a two hour coach journey and at the end of the game, Captain Michael Morrison led the team over to applaud Town's travelling support in a great moment for all involved.

It was a great night all round and a much deserved victory against a strong Carlisle side who will no doubt be up there at the end of the season.

Town make the shorter journey to Nelson FC on Saturday with a 3pm Kick Off scheduled at 'Little Wembley' as they look to maintain their position at the top of the Hallmark Securities Div One North.