Stats and facts from the game
Carlisle United ended a frustrating goal drought at Brunton Park with a three-goal second half haul which brought them a much needed and thoroughly deserved three points against an in-form Oldham side who just didn't get out of the blocks.
"We’ve carried on with what we did in terms of creating chances and the difference tonight is that we put them away," manager Greg Abbott said. "We scored some terrific goals in the end. We have to give credit to the spirit in this group because they didn’t let their heads drop after the Notts County game. They don’t get carried away with results and they keep producing for us, as they have again against Oldham."
United started brightly and a direct run from Berrett found the Latics light at the back. A lunging challenge stopped the midfielder in his tracks but Noble pounced to drag a 20 yard shot just wide.
The Cumbrians dictated the pace with crosses coming in from left and right but Oldham got forward with purpose on 10 minutes with some neat play which involved Montana and Croft. The former forced a corner with a swirling shot which had to be blocked.
Robson found space on the left as the Cumbrians tried to play their football and his early delivery brought a full length dive from Cadamarteri as he tried to get something on it.
Peter Murphy lobbed a deep free kick into the area as Carlisle turned the screw and a half clearance fell nicely in front of Noble. He struck a fierce volley and M'Voto had to put his body in the way.
Baxter created space for himself at the other end when he spun Noble half way inside the Carlisle half. He ignored the runners and went for an early shot which was always heading off target.
The visitors should have taken the lead on 18 minutes when Baxter whipped a free kick into the area. M'Voto shrugged off the attentions of Murphy but he took his eye off the ball and succeeded only in glancing his header wide.
United reacted well and Simek went past his man to cross from the right hand touchline. Robson cut across to meet it but it was on his right foot and he thumped his volley into the stands.
There was another scare for the home side on the half hour when Oldham broke at pace following a blocked volley from Paul Thirlwell. Croft used his pace to get into the area and it needed a parried save from Gillespie to prevent it from hitting the back of the net.
Yet more good work from the lively Matt Robson created a good opening when he was released by a slide rule pass from Murphy. Noble tried to place his shot as it popped up in front of him and it needed a touch from Byrne to divert it away from the bottom corner.
The Cumbrians started to come into their own after the break and good control from Cadamarteri from a Robson cross caused the visiting defence to hesitate. A short pass put it on a plate for Noble but he sent his effort right at the keeper.
The lead came on 57 minutes following a prolonged period of pressure when Noble closed down quickly and robbed the ball off Grounds deep inside his own area. He clipped a lovely cross to the back post where Joe Garner steamed in to nod it in from close range.
Noble was the chief tormentor and he had another shot blocked when Bouzanis came off his line and fumbled the ball. It was heading for the target until Croft managed to get a toe in the way.
United had to defend with bodies in the box as Montana tried to get his team going but the wind was taken out of their sails when Carlisle crafted a precision move down the left. Chantler rasped a delivery into the area and the unmarked Joe Garner doubled his tally for the night with a fantastic header which left Bouzanis flapping at thin air.
The points were sealed with seven minutes left to play when Bouzanis and his defence got themselves into another mix up. The ball fell clear and Matt Robson crunched it into the roof of the net before the keeper could recover to make the save.
Oldham had time to grab a consolation from a cheeky late Baxter penalty but it was too little too late as the Cumbrians closed out an entertaining win with little more in the way of discomfort.
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Goals
United - Garner (57, 74), Robson (83)
Oldham - Baxter (85 pen)
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Bookings
Oldham - Furman (43), M'Voto (45), Wabara (78)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Gillespie, Simek, Edwards, Murphy (Livesey 70), Robson, Thirlwell, Noble, Berrett, Chantler, Garner, Cadamarteri. Subs - Collin, Welsh, Potts, Beck, Symington, Higginbotham.
Oldham Athletic - Bouzanis, Grounds, Wesolowski, M'Voto, Croft, Furman, Derbyshire (Smith 46), Montano (Sutherland 68), Byrne (Simpson 74), Baxter. Wabara. Subs - Cisak, Brown, Tarkowski, M'changama.
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Referee - Mr Mike Russell
Attendance - 3,310 (249 away fans)
