Carlisle United emerged victorious in the battle of the promotion rivals as goals from Chris Conn-Clarke and Regan Linney saw them run out 2-1 winners over Southend United.
Southend and Carlisle both came into this game on a 5 match unbeaten run in the National League and the first few minutes of the match really showed why, withboth sides mounting some dangerous attacks in the early goings of the game with the cutting edge just being lacking. Carlisle had the best chance of the opening 15 when Georgie Kelly bounced Ben Goodliffe off the ball before trying to slip the ball left to Linney, but his pass was short and well intercepted by Harry Taylor.
The Blues came into the late kick off as the league’s third best scorers and became joint second best scorers moments later as Josh Williams found Chris Conn-Clarke in between the lines before the Peterborough loanee swivelled onto his left foot and hit a shot from the edge of the area underneath the outstretched arm of Nick Hayes, who really should have done better, to give Carlisle an early lead.
The visitors doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Conn-Clarke was again involved, breaking down the middle of the pitch and playing Linney in down the left who shifted onto his right foot and placed his shot expertly into the bottom right corner to put his side 2 up and net his 15th goal of the season in all competitions.
The Shrimpers had only suffered one defeat at home this season and were looking to avoid a second, hitting back almost immediately as Oli Coker found Nathan Ralph on the left flank and the Southend captain’s low cross found an unmarked Sam Austin who turned in first time at the near post to halve the deficit.
The hosts were getting a lot of joy down the left flank in the game and Archie Davies, on early as a result of an injury to Junior Luamba, was struggling to contain the threat coming down that side from the likes of Ralph, who created a good chance for an equaliser in the 40th minute when he slipped in Cav Miley, but ex Eastleigh man’s low effort was well saved down low by Gabe Breeze. Southend had another chance moments later as a mazy run from Harry Boyes set up a chance for Coker on the edge of the area, but Breeze was again alert to save down low.
Boyes was again involved in first half stoppage time as his corner was headed over by the onrushing Gus Scott-Morris before Carlisle had a huge chance to make it 3-1 just before the break as Davies found Conn-Clarke in space who again turned onto his left foot and burst past Goodliffe, but his driven shot was superbly saved by the foot of Hayes in the Southend goal.
HALF TIME: Southend 1 – 2 Carlisle
Kevin Maher’s side started the second half flying and almost found an equaliser when Scott-Morris chipped the ball through and a mix up between Breeze and Morgan Feeney presented a chance to Josh Walker, but Breeze was alert enough to stop the ex Spurs youngster from scoring.
Carlisle’s keeper was on hand again in the 53rd minute when a free kick caused them trouble before a chipped ball in found Walker inside the 6 yard box, but his downward header was somehow kept out by the Blues’ stopper before Scott-Morris again headed a corner over the bar moments later.
The hosts were well in the ascendancy and a lovely ball in from Andy Dallas following a strong run down the right found Coker, but his effort was well blocked by Aaron Hayden. Mark Hughes’ side were having to really dig in to keep a hold of their lead and were saved moments later as Feeney got back to clear off the line when a great ball in from Ralph was headed back across goal by Scott-Morris.
Carlisle knew a win here would see them regain top spot in the National League and they looked to give themselves some breathing room as a fantastic through ball from Conn-Clarke found Williams down the right, who used his pace to charge through on goal but the ex Birmingham man blazed his eventual effort over the bar.
Maher’s side kept on applying pressure to Carlisle and saw an effort by substitute Keenan Appiah-Forson blocked by Feeney before a Carlisle counter in stoppage time saw Conn-Clarke find Linney with a reverse ball down the right but the Blues’ top scorer couldn’t find his way past Hayes at the near post.
Southend toiled to find an equaliser and sent Hayes forward for a couple of late set pieces but Carlisle held firm to seal the 2-1 win and take 3 points back up north and once again claim top spot in the National League.
FULL TIME: Southend 1 – 2 Carlisle: Austin (31′) – Conn-Clarke (19′), Linney (29′)
Southend: Hayes, Taylor, Goodliffe, Ralph, Scott-Morris, Coker (Parillon 79′), Miley, Austin (Appiah-Forson 63′), Boyes (Bridge 78′), Dallas, Walker (Hopper 79′). Unused Subs: Andeng-Ndi, Gubbins, Morton.
Carlisle: Breeze, Harper, Hayden, Feeney, Williams, Gilliead, Macadam, Luamba (Davies 26′ (Ellis 59′)), Conn-Clarke (Armstrong 94′), Linney (Grant 94′), Kelly. Unused Subs: Lewis, Ajiboye, Whelan.
How Did United Perform?
This was a very, very hard fought win for the Blues tonight, when we went 2-0 up within half an hour it looked like it could have been a very comfortable night for us but it turned out to be anything but, that quick defensive switch off saw us under a lot of pressure for the majority of the game but some stout defensive work and some good saves by Breeze saw us through in the end.
Conn-Clarke was superb in the middle, bagging a goal and an assist and could easily have had one more of each too. This was the sort of game it feels like we might have crumbled in not too long ago so it was great to see the side dig in and come away with the 3 points in the end as it’s a ground that not too many teams will win at this season i feel like. Hopefully next week will see a bouncing Brunton Park and we’ll be able to keep this fantastic momentum going.
Carlisle Player Ratings:
Breeze: 7 – Commanded his area well when he needed to and pulled out a couple of good saves to stop Southend.
Williams: 6 – Struggled to get into the game for large periods but did trouble Southend with his pace, should have scored when Conn-Clarke played him in.
Hayden: 7 – Couple of very good blocks and won a lot in the air, did misjudge a couple of balls but overall a good showing from him.
Feeney: 8 – Barring one miscommunication with Breeze he was superb tonight, with a heroic goal line clearance, a couple of great challenges and some great blocks.
Harper: 7 – One of his better games in a United shirt, didn’t do a lot wrong at the back and combined well with Linney at points, could do more to stop crosses coming in.
Gilliead: 7 – Made some great recovery tackles in the midfield and was unlucky with a couple of smart forward passes he attempted.
Macadam: 6 – Not as influential as he was against Halifax but did well protecting the backline when required.
Luamba: 6 – Unlucky to go off with injury, looked dangerous in the early goings.
Conn-Clarke: 8 (MoTM) – Probably his best league performance for the club so far, notched a goal and an assist, came close to bagging a second and was unlucky not to get another assist as both Williams and Linney missed chances.
Linney: 7 – Took his goal very well and unlucky not to score again late on, decision making slightly off at times but always had the Southend defence on edge when he ran with the ball.
Kelly: 6 – Struggled to get into the game for most of the first half but worked hard to hold the ball up and relieve the pressure when we needed it.
Subs:
Davies: 4 – Really struggled when he came on at full back, got clearly targeted by Southend and was hooked as he was on the verge of being sent off.
Ellis: 7 – Solidified the right hand side and showed great feet towards the end of the game to get out of some sticky situtations.
Armstrong and Grant: N/A – Not on long enough.
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