CARLISLE UNITED 1 FOREST GREEN ROVERS 2 Forest fell Cumbrians as Brunton woes continue
Forest Green Rovers celebrate Carl Winchester’s (number 7) winner as Carlisle United slumped to defeat again at home IF anyone can explain what’s going on with Carlisle United’s season, step forward now, because John Sheridan’s roller coaster is taking the club from extreme highs to severe lows in almost equal measure.
The Cumbrians had endured an unprecedented spell of five home games without a win, and without scoring, which had seen them tumble out of the top-seven places.
Growing anxieties were brushed aside when they beat Newport at the beginning of the month, and the unbeaten run that followed saw them climb the table and secure cup progression.
But yesterday, it was back to the usual frustrating service, despite signs of a late fightback when Devitt bagged from the spot, as Forest Green claimed a victory which was far too comfortable.
Rovers settled quickly into the game but it was Carlisle who created the first meaningful opening when a pass from Slater found Hope unmarked. He shot first time and Montgomery was relieved to see it spin past his post.
Forest regrouped and deservedly took the lead as they played a neat, intricate style of approach play in the final third. Wide man Ben Morris ghosted in to provide an option, after Mills and Brown had mesmerised the defence, and he was left with the simple task of sliding the ball underneath the keeper when he was played clean through with time on his hands.
The visitors continued to look confident and a shot from Brown needed an intervention from Gillesphey to take it wide of the target. More danger came when Mills sent a wicked across into the danger area, and Liddle had to be brave to block when Gunning followed up on the half clearance with a stinging volley.
It became difficult for Carlisle to maintain any kind of momentum as they struggled to keep the ball, but they calmed things down and started to find their passes the more the half went on.
Home half chances did little to lighten the mood as deflected efforts from Gillesphey and Devitt came to nothing, and it was a muted round of applause which greeted the half-time whistle.
Anxiety levels continued to grow after the break as United’s players did their best to pass to anything but a fellow blue shirt, and they were almost punished when Winchester was allowed to shift the ball unhindered into a good shoot-
ing position. He caught it on the full but he couldn’t keep it down.
A better moment came when an intelligent pass from Devitt sent Sowerby on the overlap, and the cross had to be put behind before Nadesan could get there. Devitt took control of the corner and Gillesphey was unlucky to see his header spoon over the bar.
Rovers tied Carlisle in knots with a series of passes which took three players out of the game. Winchester was the man with the shot once more, but Liddle took the sting out of it and Collin saved easily.
It was much tougher for the keeper in the next attack when Brown stepped past a challenge before shooting low. Collin had to get down to make a vital one-handed save.
Carlisle were unlucky not to be back
on level terms when Liddle got on the end of a Devitt corner with a thundering downward header. A clearance off the line was made just in time with the keeper well beaten.
The Cumbrians were caught light at the back as Forest countered and a reverse pass from Morris was deftly helped on its way by Brown. Winchester had shown real desire to get into the box and he was rewarded as he arrived just in time to stroke the loose ball into the waiting net.
A lifeline was handed to the hosts with 15 minutes left when a handball was spotted as a Devitt corner flew into the box. The midfielder made no mistake as he thrashed the spot-kick into the corner of the target, but the rousing onslaught failed to materialise and Rovers deservedly took their points.