London Branch member Sam Clarkson sharpened his pencil and dusted off his digi-voice recorder on Saturday to bring us blow by blow action from Roots Hall as part of the Football League 'Junior Reporter' competition.
His duties included the production of a 1000 word match report, a live pre-match interview on Radio Cumbria and a post-match interview with striker Joe Anyinsah.
Sam's match report is reproduced below.
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Carlisle lined up in their all white kit for the first time this season on a bright sunny day at Roots Hall showing 2 changes from the team that drew against Scunthorpe a week earlier.
In came David Raven and Jeff Smith and on the bench was Gareth Taylor replacing Gary Madine, the fourth United forward to go out on loan.
In stark contrast to their last visit when a Joe Garner goal put United top of the league, the Blues came searching for points that would put them nearer the safety line.
On a sunny day in Southend, just fewer than 400 Carlisle supporters were present to cheer the blues on in a crucial game for both teams as Southend try to make a late push for the playoffs.
The game started brightly for Carlisle with flowing football and short accurate passing between the defence and midfield ending in a cross by Raven across the face of goal which missed both Graham and Neal who was unable to get any touch on it as he slid in at the back post. This was followed by Southend's first chance of the game after a back pass to keeper Williams which he miss kicked towards the corner flag from where a cross came in and was headed wide by Robinson.
It was after the attempt by Robinson that Southend started to threaten the Cumbrians defence. First with some good passing which found its way to Robinson whose miss touch fell to the United defence and was cleared away. The Shrimpers nearly found the back of the net after a free kick from fullback Francis who picked out the head of Barrett the Southend captain but his attempt went just over the top of United's goal.
The next half chance in the game came for United as a free kick from the right wing was whipped in by Smith and just went over the top of Murphy's head. His penalty claims after he ended up on the floor were turned down by Mr Linington.
Southend started to play route one football which began to trouble the United defence. The first booking of the game was shown to Grant the Southend midfielder after coming over the top on Anyinsah. On another day the player may have seen red.
The opening goal of the game came after 14 minutes after another out swinging free kick by Francis which after a bit of a scramble in the box was finally poked in by centre back Clarke.
After the goal Southend continued to attack and the ball found its way to Scannell who could not turn and get his shot away after a good bit of strength by Liddle. Minutes later Southend came very close to finding their second goal of the game after a great piece of skill by Francis who after an excellent touch and cross the ball somehow was kept out by Williams and the Carlisle defence after Laurent hit the post.
The game settled down as Carlisle began to play their quick passing game without really testing Mildenhall the big keeper in the Southend goal. Anyinsah then picked up a knock to his ankle after making a well timed challenge on a Southend player. Once again Carlisle looked to bring their defence into the passing game and this time it ended up with a shot from Smith which forced the keeper to make a save - his first of the game coming after 30 minutes. Carlisle persisted playing the passing game but it lack penetration in the final third.
The pace of Robinson was a constant threat to the Carlisle defence as he once again ran at Keogh who just managed to poke the ball back to Williams to clear the ball safely. Murphy was then caught in possession on the edge of the box which lead to a speculative shot from McCormack which did not test Williams.
A long punt from Mildenhall over the top of the Carlisle defence enabled Francis to run onto the ball but his left footed shot was blocked by the United defence.
Southend were looking to use Francis as much as possible. He delivered the ball with his left foot but couldn't quite find the head of Barrett. The first corner of the game went the way of Southend after 36 minutes and was taken by Mousa but came to nothing. Francis delivered yet another inch perfect free kick which found Laurent but his header was sent well wide. As half time approached the game became scrappy with United attempting to pass the ball about and Southend looking to provide Laurent and Scannell with some more opportunities out wide. The final chance of the half came as Kavanagh couldn't quite keep his shot on target to test Mildenhall.
After two minutes of added time the referee brought the first half to a close after what had been a very frustrating half for Carlisle.
Half Time - Southend 1 Carlisle 0
Carlisle made one change at half time replacing Smith with Cleveland Taylor and a new formation with Anyinsah moving up top to partner Graham.
Southend continued to create chances as they tried to release Scannell but it was intercepted by Liddle. Taylor made a good run with his first touch of the game he was brought down but despite strong appeals, no free kick was given. During a Southend breakaway Laurent was fouled by Murphy who was the first Carlisle player to go into the referee's book.
Carlisle were presented with their first corner of the match early in the second half. Neal delivered the ball which was attacked by Murphy who won another corner but this came to nothing.
In the 55th minute Murphy went down after a recurrence of a groin injury. He tried to continue but was replaced by Kane, who moved to right back with Raven slotting in alongside Keogh.
Carlisle's best chance of the half came after a ball into Grahams feet but the Southend defence did not allow him to turn and he could not get any sort of shot away.
Southend got their second goal of the game in the 69th minute after a bit of trickery by Robinson in the box, he then squared the ball to Scannell who scored his first goal for Southend by passing the ball between two defenders and into the bottom corner.
Carlisle made their final substitution in the 71st minute as Bridges replaced Neal as United searched for a way back into the match. Bridges began to make an impact straight away as he linked with Kavanagh who released Anyinsah but his burst into the box saw him out muscled by a defender.
Southend made their first substitution of the game as leading goal scorer Barnard replaced Laurent. Bridges continued to make an impact squaring the ball to Graham on the edge of the box but the ball bobbled in front of him and his first time shot was sent onto the roof of the stand.
Carlisle were nearly caught out when the ball was played back to Williams who cleared the ball out for a throw in and took a knock in the process.
Southend made their second substitution off the game in the 79th minute when winger Betsy replaced Scannell.
Southend sealed the game with their third goal in the 80th minute which was scored when McCormack was given space and his shot cannoned back off the post before following up with the rebound.
Cleveland Taylor was booked in the 82nd minute after kicking the ball away after he committed a foul.
After the free kick was taken the ball was worked to Barnard who went past Kane and forced Williams to make a good save. Southend made their final substitution replacing McCormack with Christophe in the 85th minute.
Southend had one final chance as Francis took a free kick which he attempted to place in the top corner but it came off the crossbar and behind.
The extra 3 minutes passed off without incident except for Graham Kavanagh receiving a booking on a disappointing day for Greg Abbott and the Carlisle supporters.
Sam Clarkson - Junior Reporter
