Carlisle United continued their unbeaten run with a 2-1 win over Tamworth at Brunton Park.
A Georgie Kelly double gave United the points as they continue to ball at the top end of the Enterprise National League.
Mark Hughes made one change from the Blues’ 2-1 win at Boston United, with David Ajiboye replacing Josh Grant on the bench.
United began on the front foot with Kelly flashing an effort high over the bar before Regan Linney stung the palms of Jas Singh in the Lambs ‘goal.
Harvey Macadam came close to adding to his impressive recent scoring spree with a floated left-footed shot which drifted wide of the right upright.
Linney found himself in acres of space on the edge of the Tamworth penalty area, but his effort was weak and straight at Singh.
Dan Creaney was proving to be a reliable outlet up front for Andy Peaks’ side, and his flick on came to Ronan Maher, whose low shot was collected by Gabe Breeze.
Kelly sent the Blues into the lead in the 25th minute, tapping home from close range after Singh initially parried Chris Conn-Clarke’s initial shot from inside the box.
Luamba continued to cause the Lambs’ defence problems, having a powerful effort from range, which was saved by Singh, before having a shot blocked from Josh Williams’ cutback.
He then came even closer from the resulting corner where his flick seemed to be spilt into the net by Singh, but the officials did not rule the ball to be fully over the line.
The Blues and Kelly nearly had two when a corner dropped to him inside the box, but his fierce shot was cleared off the line.
Jordan Ponticelli equalised for Tamworth in the 39th minute, flicking Maher’s wicked cross into Breeze’s bottom left corner.
Just before the break, Cameron Harper tried his luck from range on his right foot, but his effort was weak and easily dealt with by Singh.
HALF-TIME: Carlisle United 1-1 Tamworth
Linney’s shot was split wide by Singh as the Blues looked to kick-start the second half.
The Lambs were given the opportunity to take the lead from the spot in the 51st minute when referee Niall Smith adjudged Williams to have fouled Maher.
Ben Milnes stepped up, but Breeze was a match for the Tamworth captain’s spot kick, getting down low to his right to make a vital stop.
United stepped up the intensity with Linney flying down the left, but his side-footed shot was saved.
A scramble in the box saw the ball fall to Conn-Clarke on the edge of the box, but Singh was a match for his effort.
Kelly grabbed his and the Blues’ second in the 80th minute, hammering Linney’s cross past a despairing Singh.
United continued to probe for another goal with Linney, Ajiboye and Macadam peppering the Tamworth goal as the Blues closed out the win.
FULL-TIME: Carlisle United 2-1 Tamworth
Teams:
Carlisle United: Breeze, Williams, Hayden, Feeney, Harper, Macadam, Gilliead (Armstrong 75), Conn-Clarke (Ellis 90), Linney, Luamba (Ajiboye 64), Kelly
Unused subs: Lewis, Davies, Whelan, Wearne
Tamworth: Singh, Cockerill-Mollett (Curley 46), Digie, Bates, Milnes (Tonks 71), Rye (Hollis 83), Donkor, Roberts (Duku 87), Maher, Ponticelli, Creaney (Lynch 71)
Unused subs: Rachel, Mols
Goals:
Carlisle United: (Kelly 25, 80)
Tamworth: (Ponticelli 39)
Yellow Cards:
Carlisle United: (Feeney 7) (Ajiboye 85)
Tamworth: (Roberts 21) (Digie 31) (Donkor 90+4)
Red Cards:
Carlisle United: N/A
Tamworth: N/A
Officials:
Referee - Niall Smith
Assistant Referee 1 - Neil Evans
Assistant Referee 2 - Alan Hull
Fourth Official - Jonathan Chadwick
Attendance:
6,763 (93)
