Carlisle United staged an incredible comeback against League One strugglers Reading to book their place in the FA Cup Second Round thanks to a hat trick from star man Regan Linney.
Reading were being managed for the first time by new boss Leam Richardson following his appointment in midweek and were looking to kick off some momentum today against their National League opponents and were on top in the early goings, racking up the corners in the opening 10 minutes and testing United keeper Harry Lewis as he pushed away a free kick by Lewis Wing.
The Royals even had the ball in the net moments later as Kamari Doyle beat the ex Bradford man in the sticks, but it was swiftly disallowed as Doyle was adjudged to have controlled the ball with his arm. United were keen to show they weren’t just there to make up the numbers however and Junior Luamba tested Jack Stevens in the Reading goal following a cross from Josh Williams.
The Blues were dogged in their approach to the game and this was exemplified by their captain Morgan Feeney who was immense in dealing with the home side’s set pieces as Carlisle looked to catch Reading on the break.
It was a set piece that would see the deadlock broken in the 34th minute however, as a free kick was only cleared as far as Charlie Savage, whose deflected shot found its way to Reading captain Lewis Wing who curled his effort into the far corner to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
Richardson’s side could well have doubled their lead just moments later but were denied by a phenomenal save from Lewis as Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan’s close range header from Paddy Lane’s cross was instinctively blocked by the United shot stopper.
The visitors were looking to give their manager Mark Hughes a massive birthday present and thought they’d found an equaliser just before half time as Feeney headed a free kick past Stevens but the Carlisle captain’s effort was disallowed for an offside which saw the hosts take a 1-0 lead into the break.
HALF TIME: Reading 1 – 0 Carlisle
Carlisle were the side that came out of the blocks a little quicker in the second half and fired a few warning shots at the hosts as Chris Conn-Clarke, Luke Armstrong and Luamba all came close in the opening 15 minutes or so of the half, but none were able to find the vital finish.
United were regretting those missed opportunities in the 67th minute as a lovely ball in from Doyle found substitute Mark O’Mahony and the Brighton loanee doubled Reading’s advantage after only having been on the field for a minute.
Reading were really turning the screws on United following their second goal and Lewis was called into action again a few minutes later, once again producing a fine stop to deny Ehibhatiomhan.
Mark Hughes’ side were equally pushing hard to find a way back into the game and found a glimmer of hope in stoppage time as a deflected shot found its way to substitute Regan Linney, and the Carlisle hotshot made no mistake and fired under Stevens to give the visitors a lifeline in the game.
This turned out to be more than just a lifeline as in absolutely incredible circumstances, Linney worked his way into another great position and fired another shot which somehow squirmed its way through Stevens in the 8th minute of stoppage time to send the game to extra time and the United fans into raptures.
FULL TIME: Reading 2 – 2 Carlisle
And it would take Carlisle’s talisman just 4 minutes of extra time to find his hat trick, as the National League’s joint top scorer hit a superb strike from the edge of the area to complete an absolutely incredible turnaround and amplify the woes of the Reading faithful.
The hosts knew they had the advantage in quality and fitness though and looked to claw the game back in the remaining minutes as Doyle lashed an effort from distance just over Lewis’ crossbar, before Lewis sprung into action again, producing his third excellent stop of the match, denying a long range effort from Savage.
Reading thought they’d found a last gasp equaliser just before time, but their late corner was headed over the bar, sending the Blues’ travelling support into hysterics as they secured an incredible win and booked their place in to the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in three years.
FULL TIME IN EXTRA TIME: Reading 2 – 3 Carlisle: Wing (32′), O’Mahony (68′) – Linney (90+3, 90+8, 94′ ET)
Reading: Stevens, Yiadom (Abrefa 61′), Stickland, Dorsett, Jacob, Wing, Savage, Lane (O’Mahony 66′), Doyle (Tuma 111′), Kyerewaa (Camara 81′), Ehibhatiomhan (Garcia 81′). Unused Subs: Ahmed, Borgnis, Spencer, Norcott
Carlisle: Lewis, Harper, Hayden, Feeney, Williams, Macadam (Whelan 69′), Gilliead (Wearne 80′), Ajiboye (Linney 69′), Conn-Clarke (Grant 111′), Luamba (Davies 80′), Armstrong (Kelly 69′). Unused Subs: Breeze, Murray, Thomas
How Did United Perform?
This can be described as nothing less than a sensational win by United today, as i don’t think even the most optimistic of Carlisle fans would have expected anything after they went 2-0 down deep into the second half, but they showed an incredible character which has been severely lacking in the last couple of seasons.
They never looked totally outclassed throughout the game and kept Reading on their toes even before the late flourish, and what can be said about Regan Linney? The man is exceptional and Carlisle truly are lucky to have him and he was absolutely inspirational today.
Another big plus is that this was a largely rotated Carlisle eleven, with regular starters such as Linney, Kelly and Davies starting the game on the bench, so we can hope that the squad will be relatively fresh for Tuesday’s visit of Halifax Town.
Unfortunately neither Paddock Perception member was present to watch the magic happen today so we’re unable to provide accurate player ratings, however i think we can all agree that Linney is absolutely man of the match with a 10/10 showing from the bench!
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