Jabo’s red hot as Cumbrians march on
KEITH Curle insists now is the time for cool heads at Brunton Park, after his Carlisle side made it three consecutive league wins for the first time in 11 months in beating Dagenham and Redbridge.
The Blues fell behind early in the piece through Christian Doidge’s header, but goals from Angelo Balanta and free scoring Jabo Ibehre extended the Cumbrians’ winning run.
And despite Carlisle reaching their highest league position since dropping into the football league basement in 2013, Curle is calling for calm.
“What it does do is give us belief, and ensures that everyone on and off the pitch is staying on the bus. What we won’t do is get carried away, we had three wins when I first came into the football club - and look at how last year panned out.
“We know we have a squad capable of causing any team problems.
“Teams know they can score against us if they open the door, but we will always fancy ourselves to score more.
“The pillars are coming into place for what we are trying to build, and it’s exciting to watch.”
Early goals have practically been part of the furniture at Brunton Park this season, so it was little surprise to see the visitors ahead inside 15 minutes.
With virtually his side’s first attack, full-back Joe Widdowson looped an inviting cross into the Carlisle box, and striker Doidge was allowed to rise unchallenged to nod home.
Wayne Burnett’s men were happy to try and protect their lead, and managed to weather strong pressure including efforts from Derek Asamoah and Jason Kennedy.
But their resistance was eventually broken late in the first period. Luke Joyce scooped an excellent pass into the feet of Balanta, and the Colombian took a touch before firing the equaliser into the top corner.
From that point it was the Cumbrians in control, and they went ahead shortly after the interval through a familiar source. League Two top goalscorer Ibehre’s header making it eight for the season. Dagenham rarely threatened a comeback, but boss Wayne Burnett believed his side deserved more: “Both goals we conceded were defendable so we only have ourselves to blame there, but I felt we were value for a point,” he said.
“We have to do better in those areas, because it’s cost us dearly.
“Then at the other end, we’ve created plenty of chances - Ashley Hemmings mis-kicked one from close in.
“We can’t be too downbeat because we were four games unbeaten prior to this but it could have easily been five.”