Curle is delighted with his first XI
CARLISLE UNITED boss Keith Curle saluted his side’s professionalism after they created a new club record.
The Cumbrians are up to third after setting a new milestone for their longest unbeaten start to a Football League season, having gone 11 matches undefeated in League Two.
Curle said: “There’s a word that probably epitomises it, and that’s ‘professional’. A professional performance was needed against a very good team, and patience as well.
“Colchester are a good team who were last season plying their trade in the division above, and have been able to keep a large number of their players.
“They play in the right way, want to pass and move.
“They had a few chances, gave us one or two scares, but in the second half I don’t think they had that cutting edge.”
Second-half strikes from Jason Kennedy and Jabo Ibehre sealed Carlisle’s win after a promising first-half display by Colchester.
U’s head coach John McGreal said: “We knew that we’d be able to get the ball down and get it into areas where we thought we could hurt them, and we also knew that they’d be a threat at set-pieces. That’s how it’s panned out.
“It’s that detail at the wrong time and we’ve knocked off and they’ve scored. But we can’t get doom and gloom – we’re only 11 games in and there’s tons of points to play for.
“They’re a little bit sore mentally but we need to keep that belief and positivity around the group and we’ll pick them up.”
Carlisle skipper Danny Grainger went close early on but Colchester generally looked more comfortable in possession, although neither goalkeeper was tested in an even opening 45 minutes. Carlisle started the second half well and were ahead six minutes after the break. After twice denying Michael Raynes, Colchester keeper Sam Walker could do nothing to prevent Kennedy from prodding Carlisle ahead from close range.
Colchester went in search of an immediate response, with Drey Wright’s low shot saved by Mark Gillespie after he had been released by Craig Slater in the area, and Sammie Szmodics lifting the ball over from close range from Lewis Kinsella’s pass.
But Carlisle wrapped up victory with 11 minutes left when Ibehre headed Grainger’s corner into the net. And although there was no celebration from the former Colchester striker, the Cumbrians knew the job was done.