Jabo takes tally to ten as Carlisle march on
KEITH Curle is a happy man as his Carlisle side continue to showcase their promotion-chasing credentials, brushing aside lacklustre Crawley in comfortable fashion.
The hosts raced into a two-goal advantage through Charlie Wyke’s double and though Rhys Murphy’s header briefly threatened a Reds comeback, Jabo Ibehre’s tenth league goal of the campaign sealed a straightforward three points.
And Curle believes his improving side has much more to come following their latest eye-catching win.
“That was probably our best start to a game to date, and it’s because the understanding and application from the squad is growing week on week,” explained Curle.
“We did our preparation on Crawley, and we decided the best way to approach the game would be with two big, physical centre forwards.
“That looks like an easy decision now with both on the scoresheet, but trust me, it wasn’t.
“Our squad depth means everyone is under pressure – but we don’t fear pressure. Pressure helps us to improve.
“There is a long, long way to go before we are the finished article.”
Carlisle were ahead inside two minutes, when a dazzling Alex Gilliead run and cross was emphatically headed home by Wyke.
The Cumbrians went on to pass up a number of chances to double their lead, with both Michael Raynes and Mark Ellis nodding wide.
They did eventually get their second, however, when Gilliead once again made light work of Reds full-back Mitch Hancox and his cross eventually fell at the feet of Wyke, who swept home.
But Crawley grabbed themselves a lifeline prior to the interval, halving the arrears with a sensational counterattack which ended in Murphy crashing a header into Mark Gillespie’s net.
Yet visiting hopes were quickly dashed in the second period, when Luke Joyce’s excellent cross was allowed to bounce and Ibehre pounced to stroke home. In truth the visiting Reds never threatened a comeback, and boss Mark Yates was left bitterly disappointed with the final outcome.
“We started the game poorly, and then we had a little spell in the middle where we seemed to realise we could do something about it,” said Yates.
“But they wanted it more than us, and I really don’t like that.
“We were soft and weak all over the park. Carlisle are a good side so credit to them.
“That’s as disappointed as I’ve been.We had been on a good run but our last two results have put paid to that.”