SATURDAY 28th MARCH 2009

SEATON DELAVAL 1-3 CARLISLE CITY

The team changes following City’s 5-1 mauling at Murton last week saw Carl
Armstrong line-up in midfield in place of Jonathan Simpson, James Yallop was
recalled instead of Chris Kelleher, Graeme Lupton started at centre-forward instead of
Steven Bell and Scott Priest played instead of the unavailable Olly Driver. A very
cold, strong wind was blowing directly across the Wheatridge Park pitch, and this was
to have an obvious effect on the game.

The first few minutes were scrappy as both sides fought out a midfield battle and
struggled to come to terms with the conditions. In the 6th minute, Anderson found
Howes in a promising position on the Delaval right, but Howes’ cross was wasted as a
foul was given by referee Shearer. City scored in the 9th minute with literally their
first threat on the home goal. Fine play by full-back Bulman on the right saw him
flight a cross into the Delaval box, and Priest was left unmarked to tap home from six
yards.

The home side enjoyed the bulk of possession for the next ten minutes of the game,
but struggled to create any meaningful chances. They also suffered a blow when
Evans limped off the field injured, to be replaced by Fitzpatrick. In the 24th minute,
Johnson struck a fine 25-yard shot towards the City goal, but Bradley was able to save
comfortably. City broke quickly in the 25th minute, when Amato found Lupton, who
skipped past Robinson, but he saw his cross cut out by Allison.

After 28 minutes, Delaval were again on target through Anderson, but Bradley saved
the shot. In the 32nd minute, a fine shot from Baird whizzed just over the City bar.
Two minutes later, the home side almost levelled when Anderson ran clear and beat
Bradley with his lob, but watched in frustration as the ball rolled wide. However, in
the 36th minute, it was 1-1 as good play on the right flank by Baird was followed by
his accurate cross being swept home by Anderson.

City almost regained the lead immediately when a strong right-wing run and cross
from Foster was met by a diving header from Priest, that flew just wide. This was to
be Priest’s last involvement in the game, as the City striker hobbled from the field in
obvious discomfort, and he was replaced by Wilson. In the 42nd minute, a good
covering tackle by Yallop stopped the dangerous run of Anderson. Foster then had to
react smartly to block Baird’s goalbound shot. In the 43rd minute, Cairns was the first
name in the referee’s notebook following a foul on Amato.

HALF-TIME- SEATON DELAVAL 1-1 CITY

The second half started with Johnson finding Hildreth but Bradley came out to catch
the cross. In the 48th minute, a neat City move involving Bulman, Lupton and Wilson
was ended by a good defensive header from Robinson. City were beginning to utilise
Wilson’s long throws, and Heath shot wide following one of them. After 50 minutes,
Anderson’s free-kick was headed wide by Johnson.

In the 53rd minute, Kelleher came on as substitute in place of Bulman, who was
feeling unwell. Just one minute later, City were ahead 2-1 as Hill’s long pass upfield
was chased by Armstrong and he knocked the ball past a hesitant-looking Mundy,
before tapping the ball into an unguarded net. The lead was almost increased as
Lupton’s shot hit the side-netting, with strong shouts for a corner ignored by the
referee.

Delaval’s goal was threatened again as Amato robbed Cairns and ran into acres of
space. However, he chose to shoot early and fired his effort well wide. After 58
minutes, Howes and Reed found Anderson inside the City penalty box but his shot
flew across the goal area. On the hour, Wilson’s free-kick was flicked on by Heath,
and Amato’s shot clipped the Delaval crossbar, with a corner being given. From the
corner kick, Wilson’s shot was blocked by Hildreth.

In the 62nd minute, a foul by Wilson on Baird gave Delaval a free-kick thirty yards
from the City goal. The kick was taken short, but Anderson fired well wide. In the 65th
minute, a lovely dummy by Amato enabled Lupton to run clear on the left. His cross
found Armstrong at the back post, and his header was narrowly wide. Delaval’s
second change saw Belby come on for Cairns.

The game exploded in the 70th minute when Robinson kicked out at Foster in
midfield, and the Delaval defender was sent-off after the ensuing melee. Heath was
also booked at the same time. In the 74th minute, Heath did well on the right before
crossing for Lupton, but the City striker shot wastefully over the bar. Wilson then
showed fine pace on the right flank to win a corner off Johnson. Kelleher’s corner
found Foster, with his cross reaching Lupton at the back post but the striker’s shot
was again wide.

After 78 minutes, the linesman’s flag signalled a handball against Kelleher 30 yards
from the City goal. Baird took the set-piece but his shot was wide of target. The home
side made their last change, when Coicochea came on. Armstrong then pulled up with
an injury, and had to be replaced by Gawith.

In the 84th minute, City extended their lead to 3-1 when a neat turn and cross from
Yallop found Amato at the back-post, and he scored easily. Delaval responded in the
86th minute and created a fine chance for Reed but he headed wide. City’s keeper
Bradley was then booked for timewasting at a goal kick.

The game saw red again in the 88th minute when Delaval substitute Coicochea was
dismissed after throwing punches at Lupton, with the City man receiving a yellow
card. The game was extended by a full eight minutes following the various
disciplinary incidents, and Heath almost scored a fourth for City after a good piece of
skill but his shot was just wide.

The win was a fine recovery for City after last week’s dismal showing at Murton. It
also shows what a strange game football is with Delaval beating Murton 7-2 two
weeks ago, but City then being crushed 5-1 by the same opponents seven days later.

TEAMS- DELAVAL- Mundy, Cairns, Allison, Evans, Robinson, Hildreth, Howes,

Baird, Reed, Anderson, Johnson. SUBS- Belby, Coicochea, Crax, Fitzpatrick, Torne.
CITY- Bradley, Bulman, Yallop, Hill, Bell, Armstrong, Foster, Heath, Lupton, Priest,
Amato. SUBS- Wilson, Kelleher, Gawith, Simpson.
REFEREE- M. Shearer
BOOKINGS- Cairns (Delaval), Heath, Lupton (City)
SENT-OFF- Robinson, Coicochea (Delaval).