Report from the Wednesday evening Checkatrade Trophy fixture
Carlisle United set a new club record - eight consecutive victories in all competitions - and continued their rich vein of form as they made it three wins from three group games in the Checkatrade Trophy despite a second half fight back from visitors Fleetwood Town.Add to that a record equalling sixth consecutive goal in six games for Danny Grainger and you can see why the club has gone on an unbeaten and impressive start to the campaign.
Fleetwood, to their credit, started well and they carved a way through with less than 60 seconds on the clock when Jakubiak and Woolford linked up in a dangerous area. A cut back from the right opened things up for Roberts and his firm shot was just an inch wide.
A free kick from deep caused more problems for United when Roberts bent it at the far post. Osborne timed his run well but his header was right at Crocombe.
Carlisle started to settle and they opened things up when Ellis sprayed a pass to Grainger on the left flank. His initial cross was blocked but Joyce was there to bring Lambe into play. His first time delivery found Wyke but the downward header was too close to Cairns.
It was better from the Cumbrians and they scored a beauty of a goal on 14 minutes when one-touch football turned Fleetwood inside out. Danny Grainger was involved early in the move and he peeled away to find space for a cut-back. That was perfect for Joe McKee who kept his head to place his first goal for the club in the bottom corner.
The lead was doubled just five minutes later when Lambe showed a healthy turn of pace to leave his marker on his heels. A pinged cross was met by a glanced header from Wyke and Cairns could only watch as it bulged the back of the net.
Fleetwood sent men forward in a bid to get back into it and Crocombe did well to tip a fierce thunderbolt from Charles over his bar as he tried to find the target from a tight angle.
Carlisle looked like scoring every time they went forward and Lambe turned the key again as he fed Asamoah through the middle. The shot was goal bound until a touch from Cairns sent it wide.
The game was all-but wrapped up on 40 minutes when more scintillating football led to a pass from Devitt which was expertly controlled by Lambe. His touch invited a lunge from the defender and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Danny Grainger equalled that club scoring record - six goals in six consecutive games - when he swept the penalty under the dive of the stopper.
It could have been even better on the stroke of half time when Asamoah was closed down inside the box. He tried to get his shot away but it was blocked and he eventually rolled it back towards Devitt. A strong connection beat Cairns but it smashed onto the bar and fell behind the target.
Youth team second year Cameron Salkeld replaced Luke Joyce to get his first full half of senior football and he was immediately involved in an attack as he put Grainger into a crossing area. Asamoah dummied the low delivery but Eastham stayed alert to clear it.
Substitute Jack Sowerby also made an immediate impact for the visitors as he took a high ball over the top on his chest. He was clean through on goal and he did well to maintain focus and finish it off.
Youngster Salkeld found himself unmarked in the box for another Grainger cross but it was a difficult chance and he did well to get it on target as he had to bend his run and his jump.
Some of the football was eye-catching from Carlisle and they passed it about with style again as Salkeld, McKee and Devitt went forward, then back, as they waited for the right moment to pounce. A half clearance from the Grainger inswinger was picked up by Lambe and Eastham did well to block it.
Jordan Holt became the second youth prospect to take to the pitch when he replaced Charlie Wyke with half an hour left to play, but things were made more interesting than they needed to be when a shot from a tight angle from Jakubiak somehow found its way into the back of the net.
Fleetwood tails were up but they were pegged back again when Cameron Salkeld made it a night to remember when he beat the offside trap to edge into the box courtesy of a Jordan Holt pass. He had options but he brought the crowd to its feet with a superbly finished strike.
Asamoah won a corner as the Cumbrians started to dictate the pace and Gillesphey had a shot blocked as the keeper spilled the delivery at his feet. The lively Asamoah was onto it in a flash but Cairns covered his post and beat the ball away.
Crocombe saved from Roberts late in the day but it was good game management which took the home side through to their latest victory.
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Goals
Carlisle United - McKee (14), Wyke (19), Grainger (40 pen), Salkeld (74)
Fleetwood Town - Sowerby (48), Jakubiak (65)
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Teams
Carlisle United - Crocombe, Ellis (T Miller 53), Brisley, Gillesphey, Grainger, Lambe, Joyce (Salkeld 46), McKee, Devitt, Wyke (Holt 63), Asamoah. Subs - Gillespie, Adams, Ibehre, S Miller.
Fleetwood Town - Cairns, Eastham, Amadi-Holloway, Wallace, Davis, Nirennold, Glendon, Woolford (Charles 9 (Deacon 76)), Roberts, Osborne (Sowerby 46), Jakubiak. Subs - Urwin, Naheson, Dunbar, Sheron.
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Referee - Mr Chris Sarginson
Attendance - 1,420 (22 away fans)
