Cram Ling Ton

SATURDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2008 CRAMLINGTON TOWN 1-6 CARLISLE CITY City made the trip to Cramlington Sports Club keen to avenge last week’s six-goal drubbing at the hands of Shankhouse. There were wholesale changes to the side, including four changes in defence, with keeper Jordan English stepping up from the County League side and being joined in defence by Joe Watson, Craig Wood and Dan Barkley. Jonathan Simpson made his first start of the season in midfield, and Robin Ward and Lee McDermott took their places on the substitutes’ bench. In the second minute, Cawson broke well down the left and found Heath in the centre, but he could not convert a good chance. Heath then tested Rodgerson from 25 yards but the home keeper was up to the task. After 5 minutes, a left-wing free kick from Cramlington found Millar but he headed too high. The game then went through a quiet spell, until the 14th minute when Hogg hit a tremendous dipping shot from 25 yards that English had to stretch to tip over. Hogg also latched onto the clearance from the corner, but his shot was blocked. It was a busy spell for City’s young keeper as he was forced to tip over an awkward cross from Atkinson. The ensuing corner was headed clear by Wood. In the 17th minute, City took the lead when Kelleher’s right-wing cross almost produced a spectacular own goal from full-back Merilo. His attempted clearance bounced back from his own crossbar and Heath latched onto the rebound to fire powerfully into the net. City’s advantage lasted barely sixty seconds before Cramlington’s Joyce picked up a loose ball in midfield and fired a terrific shot into the net from fully 25 yards out. After 22 minutes, Foster overlapped on the right wing and crossed well into the box but Rodgerson palmed the ball down before gathering it safely. Three minutes later, Atkinson threatened the City goal but English dived to save his shot. City responded with a left-wing cross falling to Heath and his effort was just too high. After 30 minutes, City regained the lead when Cumersky broke clear of the Cramlington defence and looked sure to score, but Rodgerson did well to block the shot, only for Wood to follow up and sidefoot home the rebound. Rivett fired wide from a long way out for Cramlington but, in the 38th minute, it was 3-1 to City. Simpson’s long high ball was hopelessly missed by Downie, leaving Bell with a clear run on goal. Rodgerson did well to save the striker’s first attempt but the rebound favoured Bell and he tapped into the empty net. Full-back Parsons launched a determined run into the City half but his cross was cleared by Barclay. The City centre half was then beaten by North, but Rivett shot weakly wide. HALF-TIME CRAMLINGTON 1-3 CITY The second half was soon interrupted by an injury to City striker Bell, who continued after treatment. His recovery was swift as he soon broke away and saw his shot deflected away from goal. Cawson then intercepted a sloppy Cramlington pass, but

his shot was off target. In the 52nd minute, Heath won the ball in midfield and played a simple pass through a very square home defence. Bell ran into acres of space but his shot across Rodgerson was wide of the far post. However, it was only another two minutes before City extended the score to 4-1. The ball dropped to Heath 25 yards out and he gave Rodgerson no chance with a powerful shot. After 59 minutes, the home side made a change as Buckingham replaced Millar. This change was soon followed by City’s Ward replacing Bell. A foul by Wood thirty yards out had Cramlington players appealing for a free-kick but Buckingham carried on and forced English to make a fine save, palming his shot wide. The corner kick caused a few problems for the City defence and Barclay produced an acrobatic header to clear from his own line. After 71 minutes, a fine home move involving North, Atkinson and Buckingham ended with Rivett’s shot being pushed away by English for another corner. After 74 minutes, Cramlington’s Joyce received the game’s only booking. Heath was sensing his hat-trick as he latched onto a loose ball 45 yards from goal and hit a first-time shot, that travelled not far wide. The game was then held up again as Barclay required treatment. In the 77th minute, City seemed to have a strong penalty shout as Cawson’s run in the box was halted by Gourley’s challenge, but the referee waved play on. After 81 minutes, Cramlington replaced Merilo with Holt, but four minutes later they were 5-1 down. A move down the City right saw the ball neatly played through for Kelleher, and his finish was sweet, past the oncoming Rodgerson. Kelleher almost had a second as Heath robbed Downie and crossed into the box, but Kelleher’s shot was well pushed away by Rodgerson. English was very impressive in the City goal and he produced another fine save from Rivett’s shot, before punching away the resulting corner. The loose ball fell to Gourley but he shot wide. The game was deep into injury time when City put the icing on their cake with a sixth goal. Heath’s 20-yard strike looked a comfortable save for Rodgerson, but the ball squirmed horribly from his grasp and trickled into the net, to give Heath his hat-trick. It was a fine display by City and a perfect way to bounce back from last week’s defeat. Even though six goals were scored, City’s defence are also due much credit for a solid display, capped by some outstanding saves from keeper English. TEAMS- CRAMLINGTON- Rodgerson, Merilo, Parsons, Downie, Ord, Hogg, Joyce, Millar, North, Atkinson, Rivett. SUBS- Buckingham, Holt, Gourley, Hume CITY- English, Foster, Watson, Wood, Barkley, Simpson, Kelleher, Cumersky, Heath, Cawson, Bell. SUBS- Ward, McDermott. REFEREE- Gary Straughan BOOKING- Joyce (Cramlington)