SATURDAY 14th MARCH 2009

SHANKHOUSE 0-1 CARLISLE CITY

City travelled to Shankhouse with just thirteen players, and made four changes to the
starting eleven, from last week’s draw with Ashington Colliers. In defence, there were
recalls for both Dan Bulman and Craig Bell, in place of the unavailable Matty Green
and James Yallop. In midfield, Olly Driver started instead of Mike Holliday, and there
was also a recall for Jonathan Simpson, in place of Carl Armstrong. On the bench for
the first time was youngster Dan Gawith, along with Donald Priest, returning to the
club after a spell away.

Shankhouse were playing with the strong wind at their backs, and applied pressure in
the 2nd minute as Moran headed wide from a free-kick. The home side’s first corner
found its way to Binney, who saw his shot blocked by Hill. The early home pressure
continued as Driver’s foul 25 yards out gave Shankhouse a free-kick. Blacklock’s
delivery was cleared behind for a corner. The flag-kick was awkward for Bradley and
he did well to punch clear, before a foul was committed by a Shankhouse player.

In the 8th minute, a long kick from Bradley found Kelleher on the City left, but his
cross drifted out of play. After 11 minutes, Shankhouse won another free-kick in a
dangerous position just outside the City area. Smith stepped up to take the kick but
placed his shot wide. City went immediately upfield and Bulman found Heath ahead
of him on the right wing. The City man moved forward promisingly, and shot just
wide from 20 yards out.

On the quarter-hour, Armstrong’s high cross floated in on the wind, and the ball
landed on top of the bar before going out of play. Good battling by Kelleher won the
ball for City deep in home territory, but Priest found himself crowded out in the area.
In the 20th minute, Armstrong won a corner, off Kelleher, but Smith’s cross was too
high to threaten any danger.

Shankhouse’s Bell tried his luck from distance but shot bobbled weakly to Bradley.
This was followed, in the 23rd minute, by Moran shooting over the bar. City came
close to a goal in the 26th minute when Shankhouse keeper Dent, under pressure from
Hill, punched the ball against his own crossbar before being cleared by a defender.
Priest fell in the Shankhouse area and claimed a penalty for his shirt being tugged, but
referee Straughan turned down his appeal.

After 28 minutes, a neat City move involving Priest and Driver saw the ball reach
Heath, but he fired over from 20 yards. The game then went through a lull as both
sides struggled to master the windy conditions. In the 35th minute, a foul on Heath saw
Driver’s free-kick caught by Dent. Two minutes later, City’s Simpson did well just
outside the Shankhouse box to slip Priest clear. The City striker finished neatly, but
looked up to see the linesman’s flag raised.

A good spell of pressure for City saw Heath run clear inside the Shankhouse area, but
Dent used his right foot to save the shot. Driver’s left-wing corner was headed on by
Hill, but fired wide by Heath. Just before the interval, Simpson shot high and wide for
City.
HALF-TIME- Shankhouse 0-0 City

A quiet start to the second half was ended in the 50th minute when City took the lead.
A free-kick just outside the Shankhouse box was taken by Priest, but his shot
rebounded off the home wall. The City man was given plenty of time to collect the
loose ball, and calmly placed his shot past Dent from 15 yards out.

The game went through an even quieter spell for the next ten minutes with no
goalmouth action at either end of the field. On the hour, the home side replaced
Simpson with Sherlaw. City took the initiative again, and Driver and Kelleher found
Heath 20 yards out, and he shot just wide. Shankhouse enjoyed a good spell of
possession for the next couple of minutes, and this ended with Binney’s weak shot
being blocked by Heath.

Shankhouse came very close to an equaliser on 68 minutes, when Keen’s great shot
on the turn looked goalbound, but crashed clear off the crossbar, with Bradley beaten.
In the 73rd minute, Sherlaw’s shot was cleared at the expense of a corner, but
Gustard’s flag-kick was defended well by Driver.

In the 79th minute, Driver’s long free-kick into the Shankhouse box looked to have
beaten everyone, but Hill’s determined run saw him get his head to the ball, but his
effort bounced just wide. After 83 minutes, Dent had to dive to save Driver’s 20-yard
effort. City then brought on young substitute Gawith, in place of S. Bell. In the 89th
minute, Donald Priest replaced his brother Scott. Shankhouse created one further
chance in injury time, as substitute Watson shot against Bradley’s legs before the ball
was scrambled clear. The game’s final action saw Keen’s free-kick confidently
collected by Bradley.

New manager Steven Bellas was taking his record to four wins and a draw from his
five games in charge, whereas Shankhouse saw their miserable home form continue,
now with just one win from seven home games.

TEAMS- SHANKHOUSE- Dent, Armstrong, Smith, Hanlon, Moran, Bell,

Blacklock, Simpson, Keen, Gustard, Binney. SUBS- Wall, Watson, Sherlaw,
Armstrong, Middlemiss.
CITY- Bradley, Bulman, Amato, C. Bell, Hill, Simpson, Heath, Driver, Kelleher, S.
Bell, S. Priest. SUBS- Gawith, D. Priest

REFEREE- G. Straughan

BOOKINGS- None