York City 2-1 Carlisle (27/11/04)

[Tim Wills]

__________________ York City 2-1 Carlisle United
_______________________Nogan 44_____-Henderson 87
_______________________Merris 69_____ __Murphy 21 OFF

________________________-__

Arrived at the ground around 2.15pm to find the Social Club taken over by Carlisle fans. Oh well, I wander around and find an equally depressed Steve Gartside leaning against the front gate and we debate how many City will lose by. My young niece Helen and the mother-in-law arrive to join in the discussion and I optimistically suggest a 0-0 draw. This morning I had been wondering whether to wager a large amount on a Carlisle win, but AcombDave was convinced we would win and with his legendary football knowledge, I decide caution is the best option.

Anyhow I opt to slum it in the Longhurst today and take my place next to Referee and we watch a promising opening to the match. Slightly against the run of play, Carlisle had early claims for a penalty against young City rightback Staley after he seemed to impede their striker who was attempting to connect with a through ball. Would have been harsh but Tilling gave one against him for an identical infringement in a reserve match two weeks ago.

Despite this brief scare, City were definitely the more attack minded though never really created a clear chance but the match turns on 21 minutes. Groves and Carlisle player tangle in midfield, it looked that City man was pulling the opponents shirt but the Carlisle player retaliated with an elbow. This caught Groves full in the face and while I suppose he made the most of it, it's a straight red card for Carlisle player. The odd thing afterwards was that a Carlisle player walked towards the tunnel as if he was the one sent off only to get a bottle, take a drink and walk back on again. Howls of protest from City fans but it turned out that we were looking at the wrong player and 30 seconds later, the correct person did leave the field.

City continue to pressure and although there is lots of good build up play, nobody wanted to shoot. Finally Bishop does let fly but the keeper makes a good save. Nogan is trying his best but is robbed a couple of times before pulling the trigger but at least looking more energetic than of late.

On 44 minutes the deadlock is broken with Davies and Merris combining down the left, Merris goes into the box and fires low cross shot. Difficult to tell whether it was on target but Nogan flicks out his leg and ball ends in the back of the net. City press on again but have to be content with being 1-0 up at half-time.

2 minutes into the second half and Bishop pulls up injured. He picked up a knock in the last 2-3 minutes of the first half and if we haven't got enough problems and now this. Lev Yalcin comes on. Carlisle now although with only 10 men, are putting in a much better effort and City survive a sequence of corners. Some great defending and a bit of luck keeps the City in the lead when up pops Dave Merris to take advantage of some indecisive defending (69). Carlisle rightback and goalkeeper expect each other to clear it and the Harrogate Hurricane needs no second invitation. Not a classic finish but they all count.

City then start to sit back, try to defend their lead and attempt to catch Carlisle on the break. A recipe for disaster which was compounded by the referee losing it completely for the last 10 minutes. Fouls went unpunished and decent tackles got penalised so it was no surprise when on 90 minutes, Carlisle pulled a goal back. The last 4 minutes (or 5 minutes actually played) were chaotic at both ends and Mike Staley nearly settled it with a curling shot but City scraped home.

So final whistle blows and fans are leaving in disbelief. Social Club is heaving again, only this time with City fans and two vice presidents (Dougie and his daughter) bring down the grub in double quick time. The officials don't waste much time in sampling the refreshment either as I am sure they were propping up the bar before the stands had emptied. Thirsty work this reffing lark.

Stockdale 7½ - probably one of his quietest games.
Staley 6½ - Not a bad effort for someone so young.
Davies 6 - An improvement on FGR but can't cope with attackers running at him.
Brass 8 - Very good today. Defensive granite.
Grant 9 - I laughed after 15 minutes because the Carlisle attackers gave up when they came up against him in the air.
Donovan 8 - Run the show on the right today. Had people been able to deliver the ball better to him then we might have scored more than 2.
Ashcroft 7 - Looked a bit nervous but apart from one error, played very well.
Merris 9 - At times it was if there were 3 of him on the pitch.
Groves 5½ - Better than his effort against FGR and his "death of Nelson" has tonight been nominated for a BAFTA.
Nogan 8 - After weeks of utter s***e, he finally earnt his wages. If he performed like this every week then he wouldn't need to tell YEP readers that he's still 100% committed to York City. Played all 90 minutes and ran until the final whistle.
Bishop 7½ - Very good in the air but still reluctant to shoot when in a good position. I complained about Robbo MK II being greedy on Wednesday but this is the opposite.

Subs:
Yalcin 6 - Didn't work as hard as Nogan which for someone his age is rather disappointing. Sometimes watches the game and forgets that he's actually a player.
Law - Only got 4 mins but got stuck in and was again on the winning side.

Verdict:
Difficult to assess if the tide has turned on the basis of just one game but City started the match with a purpose and got the victory they deserved. Carlisle were disappointing and I think came expecting the match would be a walkover.