Carlisle 3-1 York City Hawley 6 Preece 28 Gray 29   Dunning (p) 75 Saturday 30 October 2004, FA Cup Qualifying Round Attendance: 5,072

Another one sided encounter ended City's FA Cup hopes for this season. Carlisle were clearly a class above a City outfit obviously lacking some of it's better players, but that can be no excuse for what was another unacceptable performance from many of the players, and yet again some poor managerial decisions.

The first few minutes were pretty even, with City having at least a 50 / 50 share of possession, however shortly Carlisle opened their account with what was to be the first goal of three in about twenty. A through ball combined with very hesitant defending from Davies allowed the pacy Carlisle forward Hawley to prod the ball past Stockdale. City's response was minimal, with a good throughball from Dunning being miscontrolled by Nogan, and a tame Groves header giving Glennon in the Carlisle goal little to worry about as it was straight at him. Meanwhile, it could have 2-0 after a near carbon copy of the first goal with a Davies and Stockdale mix up being redeemed by the keeper's fine save.

Within a few minutes it was 2-0 - this time Hawley turned provider for his strike partner Preece, with some good work to turn brass on the left, before chipping a perfect cross for Preece to rise unchallenged for 2-0. It was so easy to break down the City defence - it looked like Carlisle could be on for double figures such was the shambles in the City back four.

Barely after kick off Carlisle added a third with a corner being headed in by Carlisle centre back Gray. A simple goal, and more looked likely.

After half time, much of the City fans attention was distracted by the Trigger incident, but Carlisle seemed to have taken their foot off the gas. Yalcin came on, and Arthur was introduced down the right as City looked for fresh ideas - certainly they weren't being run ragged by their Cumbrian opponents. However Carlisle still had nearly all of the possession and could have added a fourth goal on a number of occasions - the agility of Stockdale denied them, once after a defensive clearance hit another City player and cannoned goalwards, and another from a effort which looked like it was a certain goal from the right side.

City then won a highly questionable penalty in my view. Nogan played in Stewart down the left, who put a cross which appeared to hit a Carlisle defender's hand (more ball to hand than hand to ball). Originally the referee missed the decision, however the linesman was quick to spot it and City were awarded a penalty. Nogan took the ball at first much to the concern of the City fans, but responsibility went to Dunning - who fired a great penalty in the corner.

City had more chances after that - Yalcin turned superbly to create a chance which went narrowly wide from the right hand side, and Groves had a free header which he should have done better with, instead he sent it way over the bar.

Overall it was a poor display, with little to cheer for the 200 - 250 City fans who made the trip north. City certainly created a few half chances - but Carlisle were never out of first gear and could have had more goals should they have wanted.

Player ratings:

Stockdale 8 - despite conceding three goals, he was again man of the match. Some great saves to keep the scoreline down.

Staley 6 - for a debut i thought he did okay. Looks a bit lacking in height and strength but seemed to cope well.

Merris 6 - better than last week, especially after half time, but first half we were awful defensively.

Brass 4 1/2 - for someone who goes on about communication he has to carry the responsibility for some of the problems in defence this afternoon.

Davies 4 1/2 - awful first half, never looked comfortable and his confidence is obviously down after 4 goals conceded last week and 3 this.

Coad 6 - Lazy at times but still did okay on the right. I'd like to see him in centre midfield not Groves.

Groves 4 - no contribution yet again (except to give the ball away on a number of occasions) and missed a pretty easy chance for someone who's supposed to be good in the air.

Dunning 5 - the fact i missed him off the line up the first time says a lot. His final ball apart from one good through ball is lacking as ever. Perhaps he's tired as he has to do two men's jobs in centre midfield as Groves is so inactive.

Stewart 4 - not the player he was a while back. Runs into blind alleys far too much and can't cut inside. His crossing is also diabolical and for a winger that's an essential part of your game.

Nogan 5 - impossible to deny his workrate but he's just not good enough to be playing still. Lack of pace cost him a reasonable chance in the first half and he shouldn't be anywhere near the team.

Bishop 5 1/2 - he's given poor service week after week. Subbed in the second half with Nogan being the preference to stay on the pitch and change the game.

Subs:

Yalcin 7 - good second half sub appearance. Deserved a goal, tried to make things happen.

Arthur 6 - brought balance to the right side.

The referee 6 - Carlisle fans seemed to be unhappy with his performance but obviously from a City perspective he didn't do too badly!

Report by David Venables

 Next report
 Back to reports list