Match report from the Yeovil home game
United did it the hard way against struggling Yeovil as they recovered from a horrible start to assert themselves and take all three points on a thrilling afternoon at Brunton Park.
Carlisle were architects of their own downfall with just five minutes on the clock when a slip from Raynes allowed Cornick to go one-on-one with Gillespie. The big keeper did well to spread himself and get a touch to take it over the bar.
Yeovil formed up quickly for the corner and a near post delivery from Dickson invited Ryan Bird to make a run. He got there first and his unstoppable header flew into the back of the net.
It got worse for United just three minutes later when Thomas was given time to spin in possession in midfield. His through ball was perfect for Cornick and he beat the offside trap to drill a fierce shot past the advancing stopper.
Wyke had a shot blocked as the hosts tried to get a foothold in the game but the Glovers should have extended their lead when Cornick burst clear to go wide on the left. His cross was a gift for Thomas but he couldn't keep the header down and it rose high into the stands.
Carlisle started to see more of the ball and a thunderous shot from Grainger had Krysiak on his heels. The keeper watched closely as it dipped late and dropped just over the bar.
The lively Alex Gilliead asked for more of the ball and he beat two to send it to the near post for Kennedy. The glanced header was good but it was just an inch too high.
Gilliead beat his man again moments later and he did well to cut it back as Kennedy checked his run on the edge of the box. A first time shot was needed and the midfielder was disappointed as it whipped past the far post.
Yeovil were happy to sit deep on their lead and Dicker was next to go close when Gilliead recovered a low cross from Grainger. It took a deflection and sat up nicely but he couldn't keep it down despite making a clean connection.
The pressure was made to tell for the home side just after the half hour when Gilliead sent a corner to the back post. Ellis nodded it back across the face of goal and Michael Raynes bagged his first for the club with a close range header.
The Cumbrians started to force the pace and Raynes should have doubled his tally when he was left unmarked and in acres of space. Grainger found him but he took his eye off the ball and screwed his header away from the danger area.
Striker Charlie Wyke was next to waste an opening when he trapped a high ball with his back to goal. A quick spin left him with just Krysiak to beat but he got over excited and crunched a poor effort over the target.
Grainger guided a decent header wide as Carlisle asked all of the questions, but Yeovil had the last say of the half when a high ball fell kindly for Bird. He set himself and was a whisker away with a crisp volley.
Gillespie had to block from Sheehan deep into time added on for the half, but it was United on the front foot from the kick off with a slick passing move. Atkinson and Kennedy combined to release Gilliead and Hope was close with his follow up header at the far post.
Bird prodded a half chance wide at the other end, but Hope was next to create a good chance as he got into the box and delivered. Grainger trapped it and won what proved to be a decisive corner with his measured volley.
Newcastle loanee Macaulay Gillesphey was left unmarked for that set piece and he didn't need to be asked twice as he bagged his first ever professional goal with a firm header.
Striker Hallam Hope went close with a snapshot which bobbled past the post and Grainger lost his bearings with a free hit which spun harmlessly into the air. Another touch from Wyke was stopped by Lacey with the keeper beaten, but Yeovil broke quickly and Bird was just wide with an unexpected header as the game became all-action.
A grasscutter from Hope had Krysiak scrambling but Carlisle got their just desserts for their efforts when the same player had a shot parried back into the mix. Michael Raynes kept a cool head and calmly poked the ball into the waiting net.
Glovers substitute Mark Beck deflected a shot wide as the visitors tried to salvage something and Asamoah was a millimetre away when the blue shirts broke. Gilliead sent it in and the nippy striker went full length to nod it frustratingly into the advertising hoardings.
+++++++
Goals
United - Raynes (31, 75), Gillesphey (55)
Yeovil - Bird (5), Cornick (8)
+++++++
Bookings
United - Dicker (10), Atkinson (90)
Yeovil - Bird (71), Roberts (73)
+++++++
Teams
Carlisle United - Gillespie, Atkinson, Ellis, Raynes, Grainger, Hery (Gillesphey 35), Dicker, Kennedy, Hope, Wyke (Asamoah 82), Gilliead (Miller 88). Subs - Hanford, Sweeney, Rigg, Thompson.
Yeovil Town - Krysiak, Smith (Dolan 38), Sokolik (Jeffers 66), Bird, Dickson, Thomas (Beck 81), Fogden, Lacey, Cornick, Roberts, Sheehan. Subs - Weale, Allen.
+++++++
Referee - Mr David Webb
Attendance - 4,095 (108 away fans)
