Match Report

Last-gasp Carlisle leveller sets up crunch clash with Shildon!

Guisborough Town 2 Carlisle City 2

(Northern League – Division One)

Guisborough Town Manager Nathan Haslam remained firmly focussed and philosophical on Saturday despite the deep disappointment of seeing his side concede a stoppage time equaliser against Carlisle City at the Kevin Edward KGV Stadium.

The final 2-2 scoreline against the Cumbrians ended a magnificent run of nine home league victories on the trot – but nevertheless the Priorymen retained their lead at the top of the Division One table.

After the game, an unbowed Nathan commented:  “Yes, it’s disappointing to lose the 100 per cent home league record especially since the game was there for us.  We’ve had the chances but we’ve had lapses in concentration for both their goals.

“It was a game we dominated with lots of gilt-edged chances but we’ve ended up with a 2-2 draw.  But you’ve just got to suck it up and move on.  I keep saying that we don’t look back we’ve just got to keep moving forward.

“The lads showed great character in getting back to 2-1 in front minutes after Carlisle had equalised at 1-1.  It was a great defensive performance from Carlisle’s point of view.  They’ve put their bodies on the line and made it hard for us in the box.

“Hindsight is a great thing and we could look back and over-analyse the game but mistakes happen in every game and some you get away with and some you don’t and unfortunately today Carlisle have capitalised on those lapses.”

Looking ahead to next Saturday’s home league game against Shildon who are breathing down Guisborough’s necks just three points behind in second place but with a game in hand, Nathan added:  “Shildon are obviously at the top end of the table and they’re the ones everybody needs to finish in front of.

“But for me it’s just another game and I’m not going to big the match up too much as every game for us right now is a big game.

“We’re now 17 league games into the season and we’re not even half-way through the campaign yet so we’re not going to get too high or too low whatever happens between now and the end of the season.

“We need to keep doing what we are doing, believe in the process we have set ourselves and Shildon next week is no different to us.  It will no doubt be a tough game but we’ll go toe to toe with them and we’ll see how we come out of it,” added Nathan.

In the game itself, Guisborough were the first to threaten in the 12^th minute when the lively Matty Willshaw latched on to a ball over the top but the Carlisle ‘keeper saved his shot but Willshaw followed up only to see his second effort cleared off the line.

In the 23^rd minute Guisborough goalkeeper Ryan Catterick saved well from Carlisle’s Jordan Irvine and four minutes later great play by Elliott Beddow saw him surge into the visitor’s box but the move ended in a corner which came to nothing.

On 29 minutes Willshaw, making a real nuisance of himself as ever, popped up in the Carlisle box and produced a phenomenal overhead kick which looped towards the far left corner but clipped the bar and went clear.  What a goal that would have been but for the woodwork!

Guisborough continued to dominate the game and in the 43^rd minute they finally got their deserved reward by taking the lead as half-time approached.

Guisborough midfielder Josh MacDonald hit a fierce shot from distance which the Carlisle ‘keeper could only parry into the path of Kurtis Howes who fired home his 11^th goal of the season for 1-0 to the Priorymen and that’s how it stayed to half-time.

After the break Guisborough continued to press hard but to no avail and then against the run of play Carlisle equalised on the hour when Irvine broke through the home defence and found the corner of the net with a smart finish.

But then just eight minutes later Willshaw restored Guisborough’s lead with a brilliant finish.  He reacted with lightning speed to run on to a great through ball and cleverly drew the Carlisle ‘keeper before firing home into the far right corner for 2-1.

Willshaw has been a revelation since his inspired acquisition from West Auckland Town – he terrorises defences and must be a nightmare at time for opponents.  He was deservedly awarded the Guisborough Brewery-sponsored Man of the Match award after the game.

However, just as Guisborough thought they were heading for their 10^th successive home league win, there was a dramatic finale to the game.

First, Carlisle substitute Daniel Kirkup was sent off in the 90^th minute after an unseemly aerial challenge.  But despite being down to 10 men Carlisle equalised once again in the 91^st minute through substitute Jordan Palmer and the game finished, disappointingly for the Priorymen, in a 2-2 stalemate.

Report by Bill Perfitt