CARLISLE TAKE IT TO THE WIRE

Esh Winning 0  Carlisle City 4 – Ebac Northern League Division Two

For the second time in a couple of days, Carlisle ran out 4-0 winners in a ‘do or die’ game for the Cumbrians, and the victory means a thrilling last-day decider to see who wins the Division Two title.

Forty eight hours after lifting the Cumberland FA Senior Cup, they were on the road again and, with no sign of tired legs, produced a dominant performance to keep themselves in the title hunt.

Once Carlisle took the lead, there wasn’t much doubt about who was going to win.

Carlisle opened the scoring in the 25th minute – Sam Atkinson heading the ball down to Jordan Palmer whose shot was well saved by Esh keeper Craig Hannant who was unlucky to see the ball fall to Kingsley Grandison who had a simple tap into an empty net.

Atkinson, Palmer and Jordan Holt all had chances before Carlisle’s second and third – both scored in the closing minutes of the half:  Palmer dinked the ball through to Atkinson who, in turn, dinked the ball over Hannant and in and then the No. 9 doubled his tally, heading in a cross from the right.

The scoring was wrapped up in the 83rd minute with the goal of the game – Jordan Holt letting fly with a thunderbolt from more than 20 yards out that left Hannant rooted to the spot.

Esh worked hard but couldn’t sustain their attacks and were only intermittently able to push the visitors back.  They had Robert Shields to thank for keeping the score at 4-0.  Twice he produced goal line clearances to deny Dan Kirkup and Atkinson.  Sandwiched in between those, he also made a crucial, goal-saving interception to stop a Palmer shot.

In the closing minutes Esh pushed for a goal but they couldn’t find a way past the Carlisle defence.  Lee McMahon had a shot that took a huge deflection, sending the ball into a high loop, with keeper Craig Murray forced to tip it over the bar before it dropped into the net.

There were a couple of Heaton Stannington supporters at the game (including Harry the Dog), hoping that Esh Winning could get something out of the game that would mean the title automatically went to the Stan.  It wasn’t to be and it all goes down to tomorrow’s games.

Mike Snowdon