United are still searching for their first win in the league, after a disappointing defeat to Colne FC at Creighton on Sunday.
Alicia Messenger’s first goal of the season got one back for the Blues on 87 minutes, but four goals from the visitors before this meant that, despite pressure from the Cumbrians late on, victory was ensured for the side from Lancashire.
The Reds took the lead early on, with the opening goal of the afternoon arriving just 2 minutes in. Fast-flowing attacking play from Colne created an overload on the United defence, and Bethany Bancroft was on hand to fire the ball into the bottom left corner.
The Blues looked to respond instantly, and captain Emma Blenkinship created United’s first clear-cut chance on 5 minutes, when her pinpoint cross found the run of Bessie Best, but her header was held comfortably by the Colne ‘keeper.
Chances were limited for both sides throughout the opening period, with United having the majority of the possession but not managing to create any meaningful chances.
Carlisle striker, Phoebe Langan, managed to carve open a chance for the Blues on 22 minutes, when her mazy run allowed her to find space on the left wing, she then delivered a threatening ball into the six-yard area intended for the run of the oncoming Charlotte Murray, but the ‘keeper managed to cut Langan’s cross out.
Blenkinship nearly managed to draw United level with a free kick from range on 31 minutes, but her venomous effort was expertly held by the ‘keeper.
The visitors then doubled their lead on 39 minutes with Bancroft finding the bottom corner from close range to make Carlisle’s task harder.
Set-pieces were a source of danger for the Cumbrians, with the pinpoint deliveries of Blenkinship causing problems for the Reds’ backline. The United captain’s corner on41 minutes was flighted to the back post for Best again, but she could not direct her header goalwards.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 0-2 Colne FC
The majority of the second half passed with few attempts on goal from both sides.
Carlisle had the first big chance of the half, when neat interplay between Blenkinship and Murray in the final third worked an opening for United. The ball eventually found its way back to Murray after chaos in the visitors’ box, but her drilled shot was thwarted by a smart save from the ‘keeper to her right.
Bancroft completed her hat-trick on 71 minutes with a fiercely driven effort into the back of the net.
Kate Stainton managed to stop proceedings worsening for the Blues, with a smart save to her left to deny Colne a fourth on 75 minutes.
The visitors would not be denied a fourth on 85 minutes though, when Ella Brannigan was on hand to force the ball over the line and secure Colne’s victory.
United battled until the final whistle and got the reward that their efforts deserved on 87 minutes. A whipped delivery from Blenkinship on the United left caused bedlam in the visitors’ area, the ball found its way to substitute, Messenger inside the six-yard box, who calmly chipped the ball over the Colne ‘keeper to pull one back for the Cumbrians.
Ella Winter went close for Carlisle on 91 minutes with a poked effort from just outside the penalty area, but her shot drifted just wide of the bottom corner.
Colne saw out the remaining minutes and inflicted a disappointing defeat on Carlisle, who can only learn from Sunday’s proceedings and address the areas they need to in order to start moving up the table.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 1-4 Colne FC
United: Stainton, Nixon, Beal, Best, Matthews (Reekie 46’), Blenkinship, Mitchell, Bland, McMillan (Messenger 80’), Murray (Porter 70’), Langan (Winter 46’).
Goals:
Carlisle United: (Messenger 87’)
Colne FC: (Bancroft 2’, 39’, 71’), (Brannigan 85’)
