Carlisle United Football Club

United hold out for a draw

The Ladies made another trip down the M6 for their fourth away game in a row last Sunday to play the unbeaten Chew Moor Brook at the CMB Sports Ground in Bolton.

After a disappointing start against Bury two weeks ago, Carlisle came flying out of the blocks against an in form CMB side who were on the back foot from the first whistle.

The Ladies took advantage of the carpet like pitch and passed the ball well creating opportunities from both flanks. 14 minutes in saw United's best opportunity when a Browbank corner was attacked by Mallin. The defender somehow made a clearance off the line. The ball came back to Mallin and she tried was closed down by two defenders and the effort was blocked.

The spectators were treated to a great game with attractive football played by both sides. Carlisle piled on the pressure through Ullyart and Harmison but the CMB defence held firm for the first 45 minutes.

The Cumbrian back line was tested at times but they dealt with everything that came their way. United were the better team in the first half and they were disappointed not to go in two goals up.

The second half saw CMB come out fighting but the United defence again worked well under pressure.

Carlisle won a free kick on 66 minutes when Robinson was brought down 25 yards out. Browbank stepped up and rattled the woodwork as United continued to search for the breakthrough goal.

A CMB set piece was a test for Carlisle but McGimpsey held her concentration to clear the danger. 

United got their goal on 79 minutes when Harmison went on a winding run. Her cut back was perfect for substitute Smethurst who took a touch away from the defender before slotting her second goal in two outings into the bottom right hand corner.

United kept going forward and they thought they'd sealed the win when Walker thumped a 30-yarder at the target. It dipped over the stopper but pinged back off the woodwork and was hooked away to safety.