City

WEDNESDAY 20th AUGUST 2008 GILLFORD PARK 2-1 CARLISLE CITY This was the first football game of the season at Gillford Park and the pitch showed all the rugby league markings still present. The bright sun also posed a problem in the first half, with City kicking into it for the first 45 minutes. City made just one change from Saturday, with Michael Hodgson replacing Jamie Hubner in midfield. After 4 minutes, Kelleher chased a long ball into the Gillford box, and Twentyman had to be alert to kick clear. Kelleher was involved again as he won a corner for City, with Cumersky’s kick finding Hodgson but his header was cleared. Gillford’s first attempt, from Johnstone, was well wide of the target. In the 11th minute, Gillford had a great chance as Riding ran clear, with Lindsay advancing from his goal. The striker’s lob was just off target. Three minutes later, a loose ball broke to Amato and his shot was deflected into the arms of Twentyman. Grainger tried his luck for Gillford, but fired off target, and then Skinner was also wide, after being set up by Grainger. Gillford took the lead after 24 minutes when Skinner was allowed space to cross from the right, and Wood advanced well at the far post to head into the corner of the net. City responded with a flowing move down the right-hand side and the ball reached Burton, who turned well but lifted his shot over the bar. The game’s first booking after 28 minutes went to City’s Rooke, after a trip on a Gillford player. Soon after this, Riding limped off the field after treatment, but was fit enough to continue. In the 32nd minute, Hodgson played the ball into the penalty box and Lang did well to block Burton’s shot. Another City corner a few moments later, taken by Cumersky, was just too high for Burton. Burton then forced a corner for City, off Lang, and Cumersky’s flag-kick led to the City equaliser on 39 minutes. The ball seemed to have been cleared but Heath picked it up on the edge of the box and curled his shot into the far corner, beating the outstretched fingers of Twentyman. Two minutes later, City almost took the lead as Barclay latched onto a free-kick and headed just wide. In the 43rd minute, Addison freed Grainger and his fierce shot beat Lindsay but fizzed past the post. Grainger then found Skinner but his shot was well wide. Lang fouled Burton and the protests of Wood earned the Gillford player a booking. Cumersky’s free-kick was well struck and Barclay’s glanced header was saved by Twentyman. It was a lively end to the half and Skinner was very close in the City box, as the ball just eluded him. Right on the interval, Kelleher was booked for dissent. HALF-TIME- Gillford Park 1-1 Carlisle City Immediately from the kick-off, Gillford showed attacking intentions as Grainger forced Lindsay to save. Wood then fired high over the City bar. In the 49th minute, Kelleher shot wide for City from 25 yards. Cawson’s shot was deflected for a corner, that was cleared to Foster on the right wing but his cross was too high.

In the 52nd minute, a blatant handball from Lang led to a City free-kick in a promising position but Kelleher blazed over the bar. Three minutes later, Johnstone fouled Amato and Cumersky lined up the free-kick, but his shot was three yards over the bar. Burton seemed to be running clear on goal, but was pulled back for an innocuous challenge on Thompson ( the referee honestly admitting “I might have got it wrong but that’s what I’ve given!”). On the hour, a glorious 1-2 between Heath and Kelleher ended with Kelleher’s cross finding Cumersky, who shot well but just over the bar. A foul by Heath on Johnstone gave Skinner a free-kick opportunity but Lindsay came out to catch the ball. In the 64th minute, Amato’s shot deflected to Twentyman before Gillford came very close to taking the lead. A foul on Grainger on the left-hand side saw the free-kick lofted in by Skinner, and Wood was inches away from scoring his second goal, at the back post. In the 70th minute, Addison won a corner on the right. As the ball came over, Grainger tried an ambitious overhead kick that went wide. A stunning 35-yard attempt from Johnstone saw Lindsay rooted to the spot, but he watched with relief as the ball thudded against his left post. Kelleher responded with an attempt from 20 yards, but Twentyman saved easily. The game’s defining moment came after 77 minutes. A Gillford corner came in from the left and, despite no great appeals, referee Turner pointed to the penalty spot, presumably for pushing. Skinner hesitated in his run-up and calmly rolled the penalty into the net. Cumersky won a corner for City on the left and took the kick himself, but Twentyman punched clear. In the 82nd minute, substitute Lupton was fouled just outside the Gillford box. Kelleher’s free-kick was blocked by the wall and Cawson’s follow-up attempt was also blocked. In the 86th minute, a fine Foster tackle prevented Grainger breaking clear. There was one final chance for City as Thompson’s slip allowed Burton a shooting opportunity, but he fired over. The game was a fine advertisement for the Northern Alliance but tinged just slightly by the fact the result was decided on a controversial decision. TEAMS- GILLFORD PARK- Twentyman, Addison, Moffat, Lang, M. Armstrong, Johnstone, Wood, Skinner, Riding, Grainger, Thompson. SUBS- J. Wood, McBrearty, K. Armstrong, D. Armstrong, Bell CITY- Lindsay, Foster, Amato, Rooke, Barclay, Hodgson, Kelleher, Cumersky, Burton, Cawson, Heath. SUBS- Bell, Simpson, Lupton, Jamieson REFEREE- G. Turner BOOKINGS- GILLFORD- Wood. CITY- Rooke, Kelleher