Carlisle United extended their unbeaten run in the National League to 5 games and moved to the top of the National League as Junior Luamba’s first two goals for the club gave them a comfortable win over a hard working Halifax side.
United, who were looking to continue their momentum after their thrilling comeback victory over Reading in the FA Cup, were unsettled before the game kicked off after an injury to Aaron Hayden in the pre match warm up forced Mark Hughes to introduce the only recently fit Terrell Thomas back into the starting XI for the first time since the 3-1 win over Hartlepool on October 1.
Carlisle were then struck another blow in the opening minutes of the game after Thomas was forced off with an injury which saw him leave the field on a stretcher meaning Jack Ellis, who originally wasn’t even in the matchday squad, was introduced at centre back after just 6 minutes of the game. This seemed to unsettle the hosts a little and Halifax had a great chance not long after as a great low cross from Owen Bray found Jamie Cooke, but the ex Colne man could only curl his effort wide of the right hand post.
The Blues started to find their rhythm after this chance and opened te scoring in the 15th minute as a pass round the corner by Chris Conn-Clarke found Regan Linney who drove infield from the left before feeding Junior Luamba just inside the area on the right, and his deflected shot found its way past Sam Johnson to give the ex Salford man his first goal in a United shirt.
Hughes’ side really ramped up the pressure on the Shaymen following the opening goal and Luamba had another chance in the 20th minute as Conn-Clarke broke through the middle of the pitch before slipping the ball to him, but his shot was palmed out by Johnson before being cleared. Top scorer Linney would threaten 15 minutes later as he received a throw from Cameron Harper on the left before coming inside and unleashing a 25 yard strike which just found its way past the far post.
The rest of the half saw a lot of stoppages through minor injuries which disrupted United’s momentum, Adam Lakeland’s side found some ground with some dangerous counter attacks but Carlisle kept them at arm’s length to take a 1-0 lead into the half time interval.
HALF TIME: Carlisle 1 – 0 Halifax
The second half began largely as the first half ended with quite a lot of gritty long ball football and some niggly fouls from both sides before Halifax found the first half chance as a great passing move from the visitors led to a long range effort from Bray comfortably finding its way into the hands of Gabe Breeze, United responded quickly moments later as Linney slipped the ball into Luamba who blazed well over the bar from a tricky angle.
The hosts ramped up the pressure in the 60th minute as a Harper corner was flicked towards goal by Georgie Kelly, but his effort went wide of the left hand post. United’s corners were causing Halifax plenty of problems and deliveries from both sides were met by Kelly and Feeney before Linney fired an effort over the bar from just outside the area, Conn-Clarke then had an effort easily saved by Johnson after driving from deep to the edge of the 18 yard box.
After Rochdale’s match against Scunthorpe was called off, Hughes’ side knew that a win would take them to the top of the National League, and they made that a real probability in the 68th minute as another low corner from Harper was diverted towards goal by Feeney and eventually turned in by Luamba for the winger’s second goal of the evening. Kelly thought he’d put the game beyond any reasonable doubt 5 minutes later as yet another corner fell to him 12 yards out but his thumping effort was stopped by an incredible save from Johnson in the Halifax goal.
After their heroics on the weekend, United knew there was no room for complacency and continued to look to extend their lead as a low cross from Luamba was only cleared as far as substitute Stephen Wearne just inside the area, but his volley was hit straight at Johnson and well saved by the Halifax veteran.
Luamba had been a threat to the visitors’ defence all evening and came close to bagging his hat trick in the last minute of normal time as he dribbled through the middle of two defenders from the left flank, but another great save from Johnson kept the score at 2-0. The Shaymen had a late flourish in the game and Archie Davies had to be sharp to block a goalbound effort from Will Hugill, but it wasn’t enough to properly trouble Carlisle, who secured the three points and a spot atop the National League table.
FULL TIME: Carlisle 2 – 0 Halifax: Luamba (15′, 68′)
United: Breeze, Davies, Thomas (Ellis 10′), Feeney, Harper, Gilliead, Macadam, Luamba, Conn-Clarke (Wearne 71′), Linney (Armstrong 87′), Kelly. Unused Subs: Lewis, Williams, Whelan, Grant
Halifax: S. Johnson, Cappello, Mills, Hobson, Latty-Fairweather (Devonport 60′), Turner-Cooke (Jenkins 84′), Hugill, Cooke (Crowe 72′), Hmami (Warburton 72′), Bray (C.Johnson 73′), Harris. Unused Subs: Alimi-Adetoro, Ford
How Did United Perform?
Carlisle haven’t had too many unremarkable, no dramas, no frills wins this season but this was certainly one of those games as we largely looked comfortable against a Halifax side that, while poor on the night, have taken a couple of great results from big sides this season so far. Luamba’s two goals capped off a fantastic performance from him, Macadam was excellent in the midfield and Ellis put in a great shift at the back considering he wasn’t even meant to be in the squad to begin with.
Breeze didn’t have any saves of note to make in the game and, while our play could certainly have been a bit more fluid at points especially in the first half, we played a lot of good stuff at points and we saw an overall very good team performance which keeps our momentum going into another tricky game on the weekend against an in form Southend side.
Carlisle Player Ratings
Breeze – 6: Largely untroubled, commanded his area well on crosses and set pieces.
Davies – 7: Very lively going forward, linked up with Luamba well and did his defensive duties effectively
Feeney – 7: Good commanding performance from him, a constant threat from set pieces.
Thomas – N/A: Off injured early, hopefully his injury isn’t too a serious one.
Harper – 7: Similar to Davies, worked well with Linney on the left, set piece delivery was excellent and defended well too.
Gilliead – 7: Another good performance from arguably the most consistent player in the side, made some great recovery challenges especially in the first half.
Macadam – 8: One of his best performances in a United shirt, used the ball exceptionally well and his physicality in the midfield made it very hard for Halifax, gave the ball away poorly once in the first half but recovered it well.
Conn-Clarke – 7: Started off superbly and picked up some dangerous positions, faded a little after the half an hour mark but always looked like he was going to make something happen
Linney – 7: One of his quieter nights in a Carlisle shirt but still looked dangerous whenever he got on the ball, had Halifax on edge with his running and got the assist for Luamba’s opener.
Luamba – 9 (MoTM): Immense performance from him tonight, as well as his two goals his dribbling was superb and he looked full of confidence, also tracked back very well and made a couple of excellent challenges in the first half.
Kelly – 7: Good selfless hold up play as usual from the big man, very unlucky not to score in the second half.
Subs:
Ellis – 7: Really solid performance after his unexpected appearance early in in an unusual centre half position
Wearne – 6: Looked lively when he came on and could have scored, a great asset to come off the bench.
Armstrong – N/A: Not on long enough to judge.
Please note these are Craig’s opinions and nothing official!
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