Second half goals earn an excellent win
United Ladies built on the point they gained last week to record their first win of the season in an exciting game against Accrington, Paul Mallinson writes.
The visitors, who are tipped to do well this season, were undone by a Kerri Mallinson brace and a goal each for Gillian McGimpsey and Laura Owen on a wet and windy day at Creighton.
The game started at a good pace with United moving the ball well and using the width to create opportunities with Kathryn Kelly and Chelsie Browbank causing problems to the Accrington fullbacks.
Accrington then had a flurry of possession before United broke the deadlock when Kerri Mallinson’s speculative 20 yard effort on 15 minutes was mishandled by the visiting goalkeeper and rolled into the net.
United grew in confidence and took the game to Accrington however the visitors broke and levelled on 30 minutes with a similar goal to the opener. The remainder of the first half was pretty even with both sides creating chances however the scores were level at the break.
Half Time: Carlisle United Ladies 1 Accrington Ladies 1
The second half began as the first half had ended with some flowing end to end football with both teams trying to play the game the right way. It was the visitors who gained the advantage in the 50th minute when a corner was half cleared and the forward smashed the ball into the Carlisle net.
This step back seemed to galvanise Carlisle who raised their game and played some determined football with quick and neat play where wingers Kelly and Browbank continued to unsettle the visitors defence.
On 60 minutes, a through-ball released Mallinson who beat her player and was one on one with the goalkeeper when she finished with a neat shot which nestled in the bottom corner.
With the scores again level, United grew into the game and on 65 minutes, Gillian McGimpsey was released and put United 3-2 up with a similar finish to Mallinson’s second.
The visitors had to throw everything at Carlisle and despite some neat play they lacked the clinical edge in front of goal. Their best chance was on 80 minutes when home keeper Jen Graham made a fantastic double save to deny Accrington.
The introduction of youngster Phillipa Harmison on her debut caused the Accrington defence further problems and United were unlucky not to add to their lead through Mallinson and Kelly.
With Accrington chasing the game, United scored a fourth on 86 minutes when Laura Owen despatched an excellent angled finish from 25 yards.
An excellent victory for United who stuck at their task for the full ninety minutes; the visitors awarded man of the match to Kathryn Kelly.
Next up for the Ladies is a trip to table topping Blackburn which will prove to be another stern test.
United: Graham, Smith (Owen), Ullyart, Mallin, Grieve (Harmison), Kelly, Robinson, Wharton, Browbank, Mallinson, McGimpsey.
Goals: Mallinson (2), McGimpsey, Owen.
