Keswick made the short trip to the border city this weekend to face a well organised Carlisle team that has caused Keswick problems in previous seasons. Keswick know that Carlisle like to start fast and defend a lead and with this is mind Keswick adjusted their formation. This was to no avail as within the first 5 minutes the Carlisle attacker found himself in the D with sufficient space to fire home a fine reverse strike.
Keswick found themselves in a familiar position with Carlisle - a goal to the good and happy to defend a lead. Keswick began to string some passes together and get a foothold in the game, particularly with good combination play down the left hand side from McCully and Swanston.
Keswick began to put pressure on Carlisle and won a short corner when the Carlisle keeper trapped the ball under his body to obstruct the prowling Owen. The resulting Penalty corner was converted when Wilsons strike was too powerful for both Keeper and Defender to keep out 1-1.
Keswick continued to probe and attack the Carlisle back line - after a flurry of attempts on goal McCully was able to beat the keeper only for the Carlisle Defender to commit a foul on the goal line and concede a penalty flick. With the usual penalty taker not in the squad Jackson stepped up to take the stroke, unfortunately Jackson didn’t get the contact he wanted and the Carlisle keeper saved his effort.
During the period running up to half time Keswick continued to press with midfield working hard to try and break the deadlock.
Carlisle started the second half the brighter managing to find space in behind the Keswick defence. Carlisle should have put themselves ahead in the tie but missed a number of clear cut chances including a couple of open goals. Keswick went down to 10 men for the third time in two games when a missed challenge allowed the Carlisle striker through on goal and Mattear was forced into a professional foul.
Carlisle tried to take advantage of Keswick being down to 10 men and piled on the pressure but Sloan and Bowen worked hard in midfield to help out the defence. Keswick got the break through against the run of play when a short corner was won via a Barnes counter attack. Swanston injected the penalty corner to Proctor top ‘D’ who took a touch and lashed home to make it 2-1.
The remainder of the game was played out in the Keswick half with Carlisle having much of the possession and Keswick struggling to clear their lines and relieve the Carlisle pressure. The final whistle blew much to Keswick’s delight leaving Carlisle reeling over missed chances.