BLUES’ DROP FATE IS SEALED
PAUL Simpson admitted it was a “huge disappointment” to have his side’s relegation from League One officially confirmed by yesterday’s defeat at Northampton.
The Cumbrians only won promotion last season but their immediate return to League Two was confirmed thanks to goals from Northampton’s Kieron Bowie and Ali Koiki.
“It’s obviously a huge disappointment but the relegation isn’t on today, it’s on the whole season,” said Simpson.
“We had all of the excitement of the promotion last season but unfortunately we haven’t been able to follow it up and we have fallen well short.
“What we have to do now is regroup, have a look into what’s gone wrong and make sure we come back stronger and better next season and that’s the challenge going into the summer.”
Reflecting on the game itself, Simpson added: “It’s such a poor first goal to concede. We spoke about it and we worked on getting in early because they’ve got good delivery from set-pieces, but we switch off and we allow them the first contact and they bundle it in.
“It wasn’t a great game and the conditions didn’t make it easy with the wind but it’s the story of our season because we started the game well and we got into good areas.
“We didn’t score when we were on top and then we conceded a poor goal.
“Now we need to make sure we get a strong group together so we can bounce back straightaway next season.”
Carlisle had a strong wind behind them in the first half at Sixfields and they used that to dominate territorially but the conditions did not help either side find their flow in a scrappy contest.
A rare chance saw Lee Burge tip over Georgie Kelly’s header before Northampton scored with their first and only notable chance of the first half.
The first goal came after 33 minutes when Sam Sherring’s header from a Mitch Pinnock corner was blocked and fell to Bowie who stabbed into the net.
Carlisle pursued an equaliser in the second half but they struggled against the wind and barely created a chance of note.
And their relegation fate was sealed in stoppage time when Koiki ran the length of the pitch from a defensive corner and rolled the ball home after rounding goalkeeper Harry Lewis.
The scoreline also officially secured Northampton’s League One status and they are now up to 59 points, their second highest points haul in the third tier this century.
“It’s a really good achievement and it’s testament to the players and their attitude,” said Cobblers boss Jon Brady.
“The wind and the condi
tions made it quite a turgid game today and it was hard for both teams.
“We actually wanted to win the toss and turn it around so we’d have the wind behind us but obviously we lost it and we had to go against the wind.
“The first half was really difficult and we couldn’t get out but we were gritty and determined and it was great to get the result.
“You feel for Carlisle, before the game you have to be focused and there’s no room for any sympathy but I had a chat with Paul Simpson afterwards and they are a good club with good people.”
Burge 7, Odimayo 7 (Koiki 45, 7), Guthrie 7, Sherring 8, McGowan 7 (Willis 79, 6), Fox 7 (McWilliams 72, 6), Leonard 7, Pinnock 7, Bowie 7, Appere 6 (Springett 79, 6), Hoskins 7 (Sowerby 73, 6). Simpson, Moulden.
Lewis 6, Ellis 6 (Emmanuel 83,
6), Barclay 6, Lavelle 6, Mellish 6, Armer 6, Butterworth 6 (Maguire 34, 6), Neal 7, Robinson 6 (Harris 83, 6), Armstrong 6, Kelly 6 (Diamond 57, 6). Back, Huntington, Breeze.