NEWPORT COUNTY 3 CARLISLE UTD 3 Carlisle confident but can’t hold on to a lead
RODNEY Parade has never been a happy hunting ground for Carlisle United and they left South Wales feeling less than pleased as they twice allowed a lead to slip.
But a share of the spoils was probably a fair result as the teams slugged it out and made set-pieces count in what became an enthralling game to watch.
Carlisle stroked the ball around with confidence from the kick-off and Lambe typified their determined approach when he robbed Pipe of possession tight by the corner flag.
A reverse pass found Bennett with his back to goal, and his touch put Joyce into a dangerous area. The midfielder hesitated and the moment was gone.
United came again when Lambe controlled a bouncing ball and beat his man just outside the box.
He went for a first-time cross, but it was just too high for Bennett as he arrived late in the area.
The Blues camped forward and the lively Richie Bennett won a free-kick when he was chopped down having ghosted past his man. The delivery from that was perfect for Etuhu but he couldn’t keep his header down and it sailed over the bar.
Newport looked dangerous and Hill had to guide a drive from Butler behind with Bonham completely wrong-footed.
Fellow defender Gary Liddle was next to show bravery when he jumped in to block a stinging drive from Willmott as he burst through at a tight angle.
A speculative 40-yarder from White was difficult for Bonham to deal with as it into the roof of his net. no chance as he fired the ball The ball stayed low and someskipped off the greasy surface, The Blues made amends for into the bottom corner. how squirmed beneath his and Bonham had to take care their lapse of concentration Newport levelled things dive. when dealing with another with just 40 seconds on the back up when Matt Dolan set There was barely time to long-range punt from second-half clock. Bennett the ball down for a 23-yard draw breath as Dolan took McCoulsky as it threatened to nodded the ball high as he free kick. Bonham could do charge of another free-kick, creep in at his near post. came under pressure and nothing as it angled over his this time 28 yards out. Bon
It appeared to be heading to Newport failed to react as the wall and into the back of his ham could do nothing as a a half-time stalemate until loose ball bounced and net. peach of a strike angled over Butler floated a seemingly slipped around. Midfielder Carlisle weren’t about to roll his wall and into the top corharmless free- ner.kickintotheLukeJoycegotenoughofaoverandtheyregainedthe box from the halfway line. connection to send it over the lead for a second time when Half chances came and
Bonham raced off his line to line. Parked surged forward and went and the draw started to meet it but, having got The home side was guilty of looped a cross to the back look inevitable as the teams nowhere near, he could do hesitation when Tom Miller stick. Tom Miller jumped cancelled each other out nothing as Shawn McCoulsky put a long throw into the mix. highest, but day was disapthrough a tense spell of time calmly guided the loose ball Etuhu waited and left Day with pointed as he lost sight of it. added on. JACK BONHAM ............... 5 JAMES BROWN ............... 5 CLINT HILL ...................... 8 GARY LIDDLE.................. 7 TOM PARKES .................. 6 TOM MILLER ................... 6 REGGIE LAMBE ............... 9 LUKE JOYCE .................... 7 MIKE JONES .................... 6 KELVIN ETUHU ............... 6 RICHIE BENNETT ............ 6