City

SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST 2008 ASPATRIA 1-2 CARLISLE CITY With just one week before the start of the league season, this is always an important weekend of preparations. City travelled to Cumberland County league side Aspatria and the game kicked-off just moments after a furious rain storm had lashed the pitch. City’s Watson was the first to threaten with an attempt from 30 yards that was wide. On 14 minutes, City took the lead when Lindsay’s long goal-kick saw Aspatria defenders appealing for offside but Kelleher ran on to beat the keeper. A few minutes later, Cumersky played a short corner to Brown, and his cross was headed just over by Burton. Aspatria came back into the game and Lindsay had to back-pedal to catch an attempted lob, and then watched a home shot travel just over his bar. The home side came very close after 24 minutes when Lindsay was stranded off his line but the ball bounced back off the post. A neat City move on 30 minutes saw Brown free Coulthard on the right wing and the Aspatria keeper dropped sharply to claim the cross. Four minutes later, Lindsay had to save at the feet of an Aspatria striker. Three minutes before half-time, City doubled their lead when Bell found Lupton inside the area, and he finished sweetly into the far corner. Robinson had to be alert in front of his own goal, when he hacked clear for a corner but City held on for a two-goal interval lead. Aspatria came out strongly in the second half and Lindsay was soon in action, as he pushed a shot for a corner. City’s full back Watson tried his luck from distance but his shot was too high. As the half progressed, Aspatria dominated possession and came close with one effort from 20 yards. Shortly after, Lindsay was beaten as he came off his goal-line but the ball bounced just wide. Another fine home strike clipped the crossbar and Holliday conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position on 70 minutes. The City wall stood firm and blocked the shot. Cawson had to be brave to head clear at the back post, under pressure from Aspatria forwards. City threatened rarely in the second period but Coulthard wasted one good opportunity when he shot across goal, with colleagues unmarked in the centre. With five minutes remaining, Aspatria pulled a goal back as Lindsay was beaten by a forward running past him before scoring from close range. The home side never threatened an equaliser but both teams will benefit from a competitive match. TEAM- Lindsay, Jamieson, Watson, Holliday, Robinson, Cumersky, Brown, Coulthard, Cawson, Burton, Kelleher. Subs- Bell, Lupton, Mounsey, Simpson.