SATURDAY 29th AUGUST 2009

CARLISLE CITY 1-2 WALKER CENTRAL

This game was eagerly anticipated even at this early stage of the season, with the two
sides unbeaten and showing lots of promise. City made two changes to the side that
beat Wark on Wednesday- Mike Holliday lined up at centre-forward in place of
Steven Bell, and Tom Short came in for James Yallop at left-back. Walker had player-
coach, and ex-professional, Paul Stoneman on the subs’ bench.

City made a quick start and, in the 2nd minute, Priest chased Bradley’s long kick but
was beaten to the ball by keeper Bannon. There was then a great early chance for City
when Rooke’s right-wing cross was poorly headed clear by Forster, leaving Priest
with a great shooting chance, but the City striker scuffed his shot wide. In the 4th
minute, Walker responded through P. Mills and Mulligan, and they won a corner off
Hill. Robson’s right-wing kick was headed to safety by Armstrong.

Priest then put a dangerous ball into the Walker area that was claimed by Bannon,
under strong pressure from Holliday. In the 10th minute, Heath’s free-kick looked to
be hit too hard, but Bannon had to tip the ball over the bar. Heath’s corner from the
left was poor, and drifted out of play. After 12 minutes, linesman Walker flagged for a
free-kick to the visitors, which was taken quickly, and Holliday tracked back well to
block the shot. The loose ball was fired well wide by Stokes. A good overlapping run
by Forster had to be covered by his near-namesake Foster. Dormand then fired wide
from 20 yards.

After 21 minutes, a long ball forward from Forster saw Hill having to stretch to make
the header, with the ball rolling back to Bradley. Two minutes later, a bustling run by
Blaylock was intercepted by Stokes, with the ball appearing to go out for a corner, but
referee Poole adjudged Bannon to have kept it in play. In the 25th minute, good play
down the City left by Priest and Kilgour saw a fine cross from the latter, but the ball
bounced off Heath and was cleared. Hill then required treatment after being caught in
a tackle.

A great free-kick from Hill found Holliday in space just outside the Walker area, but
Monaghan defended well. Hill was again involved as he crossed into the Walker box,
and Rooke’s challenge earned his side a corner. Priest’s flag-kick was cleared by
Monaghan. In the 31st minute, City had another great opportunity when an unfortunate
slip by Stokes left Heath in the clear. The ball bobbled slightly and the City man’s
left-foot shot flew over the bar.

A good City move involving Blaylock, Short and Kilgour down the City left ended
with Blaylock’s cross being caught by Bannon. In the 36th minute, Kilgour’s cross
was tipped out of play by Bannon, but Heath’s corner was again poorly struck. Two
minutes later, P. Mills was fouled by Priest 25 yards from goal, and the Walker man
lined up a quick free-kick but shot a yard wide of goal. Heath was wide from 25 yards
in the 40th minute.

Walker had a clear chance in the 42nd minute when hesitation on the City left allowed
Forster a shooting opportunity, but Bradley produced a fine save, at the expense of a
corner. Robson’s corner was met by Dormand, and he was unlucky to see his header
bounce on the bar and over. In the 44th minute, Holliday was fouled by Robson, but
Heath’s free-kick was caught comfortably by Bannon.

HALF-TIME- CITY 0-0 WALKER

Walker introduced coach Stoneman at half-time, as the rain began to fall heavily. In
the 49th minute, Armstrong’s 25-yard shot was saved by Bannon. Heath’s cross,
looking for Kilgour, was cleared by Bryce at the expense of a corner. Priest’s flag-
kick was headed to safety. In the 57th minute, I. Mills’ shot was deflected for a corner,
and the resulting kick was to lead to the opening goal. Taken from the Walker right,
the ball reached the tall figure of Stokes, and he knocked his shot past Bradley.

As City tried to respond, Armstrong’s free-kick was caught by Bannon with

Holliday’s challenge injuring the Walker keeper. On the hour, P. Mills’ free-kick had
to be saved by Bradley and then Dormand shot narrowly wide, as Walker looked to
take control of the game. Bradley produced an outstanding save in the 62nd minute to
deny Robson.

In the 65th minute, Bradley’s huge kick deflected off a Walker defender for a corner.
The kick was taken quickly, and Short’s cross was cleared. Heath and Armstrong
combined, and Armstrong’s cross looked for Blaylock in the penalty box, but the ball
was too high. In the 67th minute, P. Mills’ corner for Walker was cleared by the City
defence.

After 69 minutes, Stoneman fouled Rooke, but Short’s free-kick was a poor effort,
and saved easily by Bannon. In the 72nd minute, a promising run by Priest was ended
by a foul 30 yards from the Walker goal. Priest took the free-kick himself, and a
strong shot was parried well by Bannon, with Rooke only managing to put the
rebound over the bar. City made their first change, as Bell replaced Heath. The
substitute was soon involved, as he was fouled by Stokes, and Priest’s free-kick found
Blaylock but his cross was poor.

After 75 minutes, City were close to an equaliser when Short won a corner off Bryce,
and Short’s deep flag-kick was headed back across by Hill with Holliday’s header
hitting the bar, before bouncing to safety. City were beginning to mount some strong
pressure as Rooke’s 25-yard shot deflected for a corner. Short’s kick was aimed again
for Hill, but Stokes cleared for another flag-kick. This corner was comfortably dealt
with by the Walker defence.

After 79 minutes, Priest’s right wing corner found Bell just inside the area and his
powerful drive was deflected wide. Short’s left-wing kick again found Hill, and
Bannon produced a flying save to claw away the goalbound header. City’s pressure
was rewarded in the 82nd minute, although the equaliser was fortuitous. Priest’s corner
looked comfortable for Bryce, but the centre-half misdirected his header into the
corner of his own goal.

Walker then upped the pace as they tried to regain the lead. After 85 minutes, Bradley
was forced to punch clear, and a huge scramble ensued in the City goalmouth, before
Blaylock headed the ball over his own bar. City were forced to defend two corners in
quick succession, and in the 86th minute, Walker went 2-1 ahead. The left-wing corner
was not defended well, and Stoneman was left in space at the back post to score
easily. City introduced substitutes Rowell and Amato as they searched desperately for
another equaliser.

In injury time, Walker broke away, and Dormand tried to play Mulligan into the clear,
but he was flagged offside. I. Mills’ header over Bradley looked to be heading in, but
City managed to scramble the ball to safety. A foul on Bell by Stokes gave City a
free-kick in a promising position wide on the right. Play was held up for a full couple
of minutes as Forster lay injured, and Rowell’s cross was cleared to safety. Priest laid
a fine ball back to Rowell, and the youngster’s excellent cross looked tailor-made for
Bell, but the header was just too high, as City’s final chance was wasted.

It was a tight game, just edged in the end by Walker, but City will regret both missed
chances and some shaky defending at set-pieces.

TEAMS- CITY- Bradley, Rooke, Short, Hill, Foster, Kilgour, Heath, Armstrong,
Blaylock, Holliday, Priest. SUBS- Rowell, Amato, Bell, Yallop, Burton.
WALKER- Bannon, Forster, Robson, Monaghan, Bryce, Stokes, P. Mills, Chapman,
Mulligan, Dormand, I. Mills. SUBS- Stoneman, Armstrong, Waters, Keilty

REFEREE- S. Poole

BOOKINGS- None

MAN OF THE MATCH- Priest (City), Forster (Walker)