On Sunday, Mark Hughes takes his Carlisle United side to Hertfordshire to take on Luke Garrard’s high flying Boreham Wood.
Both sides have had identical seasons so far and are in third and fifth place with two points separating the two sides.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
Boreham Wood have won eight of their last ten games in all competitions. Garrard’s side were promoted last season and have been flying since their return to the National League. The Wood have been carrying their great league form in to the FA Cup as well and are through to the third round.
Last time out Boreham Wood were beating at home on penalties by Brackley Town in the FA Trophy.
The Cumbrians were unbeaten in eleven games from September until November but they then lost back to back games to Blackpool in the FA Cup and Woking in the National League. Mark Hughes’ side are third in the league but level on points with the two sides above them.
Last time out Carlisle beat Harborough Town 2-1 away from home in the FA Trophy.
Previous Meeting
In the reverse fixture back in August the two sides played out a very entertaining 3-3 draw at Brunton Park. Luke Norris gave Boreham Wood the lead in the first half before two quick fire goals from Georgie Kelly and Regan Linney turned the game on its head. Regan Linney then got his second and the Cumbrians’ third of the game to seemingly put the blues out of sight. The game then turned on its head again thanks to another goal from Luke Norris and a late equaliser from Charlie O’Connell to earn The Wood a deserved draw.
With Boreham Wood being a huge attacking threat and having great home form I think Hughes may go narrow and tough to break down in this one. Keep it tight and hit on the break with the pace of Linney and then Williams off the bench in the second half would be the order of the day for me.
This will be a very tough game where we can’t afford any defensive mistakes like we’ve seen in recent weeks. Boreham Wood have plenty of players that can hurt us such as Erico Sousa, Zak Brunt, Matt Rush, Abdul Abdulmalik and Luke Norris.
My Score Prediction
Boreham Wood 3-2 Carlisle United
I’m expecting another entertaining game like the reverse fixture but Boreham Wood are flying and scoring lots of goals and I expect Carlisle’s defence to struggle to contain them. First goal is key given the confidence of both teams.
If the Carlisle defence can get to grips with the Boreham Wood attack early on that could set the tone for the rest of the match and give the forwards confidence to get forward and cause problems of their own.
Sadly I think we may come up just short in a very difficult game.
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Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
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On Saturday, Mark Hughes takes his Carlisle United side to Southern League Premier Central side Harborough Town in the FA Trophy.
Both sides are having good seasons and have been good form so this could be a very competitive and exciting game to watch.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
Harborough have only lost one game in all competitions this season and that was a 3-0 defeat at home to Altrincham in the FA Cup. In the league they are unbeaten wining 13 and drawing 5 of their first 18 games. They are second in the league and 4 points behind leaders Spalding United but have 3 games in hand on them.
Last time out they drew 1-1 away to Barwell despite being down to nine men.
The Cumbrians were unbeaten in 11 games before Sunday’s 4-1 defeat away to League One side Blackpool. Promotion from the National League is the priority but a good cup run would do the team no harm and help with momentum when going for promotion.
Last time out the blues were beaten 3-1 at Brunton Park by Woking.
Players To Watch
Riley O’Sullivan
O’Sullivan has nine goals to his name this season and is their top scorer in all competitions. The Carlisle United defence will have their hands full trying to keep this man quiet.
Brady Hickey
Hickey has six goals in all competitions so far this season and his been an integral part to Harborough’s excellent start to the season. Him and O’Sullivan know where the back of the net is and if they are to produce an upset here they will both need to be on top form.
Heads need to roll after that performance on Wednesday so I’m hopeful that Mark Hughes may ring the changes but given he tends to stick with the same players frequently I can’t see it. So above is the team I think Hughes will pick and below I will put the team I would pick.
I’d play narrow given we’ve had next to know threat from out wide recently. Mark Hughes did say following the Woking defeat that he was going to rotate but because of the performance he’s not going to now so we can expect one of two things and they are a response or more of the same.
My Score Prediction
Harborough Town 2-1 Carlisle United
Given the last couple of performances from the Cumbrians I think the home side will fancy their chances in this one. Carlisle looked devoid of ideas and creativity against Woking and Harborough with their goal threat and excellent home form could capitalise on that.
I think this game has cup upset written all over it.
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Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
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Carlisle United succumbed to their first defeat in 10 league games as goals from Jamie Andrews, Tunji Akinola and Aiden O’Brien cancelled out Junior Luamba’s opener to give Woking a 3-1 victory and move them to within 4 points of the National Leauge play off places.
United came flying out of the blocks and almost opened the scoring in the first minute as Josh Williams found Junior Luamba with a ball down the right flank before Luamba cut back and found Chris Conn-Clarke, whose first time effort hit the near post and bounced out much to the relief of Will Jaaskelainen in the Woking goal. Mark Hughes’ side were unable to maintain the relentless start for long however and were largely subdued by the Cardinals in the opening 10 minutes, with a long range Harvey Macadam effort that sailed comfortably into Jaaskelainen’s hands being the only real notable moment.
The Blues were enjoying the lion’s share of the possession but the visitors got a grasp on the game after 15 minutes and had a decent chance in the 20th when Josh Kelly neatly backheeled into the area and into the path of Olly Sanderson, but the forward’s effort was tame and trickled into the hands of Gabe Breeze. The hosts bit back quickly and took the lead after Williams intercepted a pass in midfield and drove towards the box before slipping the ball right to Luamba, who fired his shot high into the goal to give Carlisle the lead. Luamba was substituted following the goal after appearing to injure his hamstring while chasing a ball moments earlier.
Carlisle were well on top for this stage of the game and two minutes later Macadam received the ball on the edge from Conn-Clarke before the ex Morecambe man fired a shot towards goal that was deflected before Jaaskelainen did very well to tip the bouncing ball over the bar. United knew that they would go top of the National League with at least a point tonight and had another great opportunity to increase their chances as Regan Linnney played a one-two with Conn-Clarke before his initial effort was saved by Jaaskelainen, the ball fell back to Linney but his effort blazed well over the bar. Linney was involved moments later as a quickly taken free kick caught Woking napping and his excellent ball in narrowly avoided the head of Aaron Hayden.
Woking were unbeaten in the league since a 1-0 loss to Boreham Wood in late September and they drew themselves level in the 43rd minute when a deep free kick wasn’t dealt with by the United defence and fell to Jamie Andrews on the edge of the box before the ex West Brom graduate fired a brilliant left footed strike over the head of Breeze and into the top right corner. Carlisle looked rattled by this equaliser and almost gifted the visitors a second a minute later when Hayden gave the ball away to Josh Kelly but the Woking man was forced wide as he ran through 1 on 1 and his shot went harmlessly away from goal.
The hosts hadn’t learned their lesson from this warning shot however, and Woking took the lead in stoppage time when another free kick wasn’t dealt with properly, the ball dropped in the area, Hayden thumped it against his own man Georgie Kelly in the area and the ball fell to Tunji Akinola who fired past Breeze to give Neil Ardley’s side the lead going into the break.
HALF TIME: Carlisle 1 – 2 Woking
Carlisle laboured to find an equaliser in the opening 15 minutes of the first half but failed to create any real chances of note, Woking showed excellent discipline, closing down the space and making it hard for Carlisle to gain any real ground while their centre backs were comfortably dealing with any long balls towards Georgie Kelly.
The home fans were starting to get irate as Carlisle’s performance really dipped in this second half and their worries intensified as Josh Kelly burst through the United defence but fired his effort low past the left hand post. The Blues had won the reverse fixture 2-0 on the opening day of the season but looked nowhere near as comfortable as they were on that day.
Hughes made changes and introduced Luke Armstrong, Stephen Wearne and Jordan Jones into the fold but ultimately it would make no difference as the visitors would put the game beyond all doubt in the last minute of the game as a long kick from Jaaskelainen sailed all the way through to the run of substitute Aiden O’Brien, who capitalised on hesitation from Williams and Harper at the back to get onto the ball and slot home past Breeze to send the Woking fans into raptures and the team home with 3 points.
This was a real kick in the teeth of a performance after what has largely been a very positive couple of months for us. Admittedly we started the game quite well and had a decent opening half an hour but largely after we scored the goal our performance levels dipped and then went completely to pieces after we shipped the equaliser.
There was both a massive lack of quality and a lack of desire especially in the 2nd half, far too many wayward and hopeful passes and long balls forward and the body language of a few players was very concerning as they showed no real fight in an attempt to claw their way back into the game.
Huge credit to Woking as they looked every bit the team that their unbeaten run indicated they would be, they were well drilled, well organised, got the ball into the channels quickly and utilised the pace they had up front too. That said, our defending especially at times was kamikaze as nobody really took charge at the back and the two first half goals came from a complete inability to deal with free kicks into the area. Hughes also will have some question marks after tonight as he probably waited too long to reshuffle the pack when we were really struggling in the game.
There’s no huge need for panic as this was our first defeat in quite some time, however the manner of it was really unacceptable and we have big issues to address over the next couple of weeks if we want to sustain our charge towards the top of the league, including navigating a potential banana skin next week against high flying Harborough Town. Play like we did tonight against Boreham Wood in a couple of weeks? We’ll get trounced.
United Player Ratings:
Breeze: 4 – Hard to directly blame for the goals but his distribution was dreadful and he really lacked any control of his area from set pieces.
Williams: 5 – Started off really strongly with Luamba in front of him but dipped when Luamba came off, really poor defending for the Woking 3rd.
Hayden: 4 – Had a good opening 40 minutes then completely went to pieces, gave the free kick away for Woking’s first goal, gifted Josh Kelly the ball moments later and then flubbed a clearance leading to Woking’s second, massive question marks over his place in the team after Blackpool and tonight.
Feeney: 5 – Looked like he needed another game’s rest after his illness, some erratic passing and didn’t take charge of the backline as he’s normally capable of doing.
Harper: 4 – Deliveries into the box were dreadful and defensively he got caught out by the likes of Kelly on a number of occasions. Consistently inconsistent.
Gilliead: 6 – Actually thought he did okay, helped out with some good recovery runs and was quite positive on the ball but struggled to properly influence the game, unlucky to be subbed still.
Macadam: 5 – Similar to Gilliead however his passing in the second half was woefully inaccurate and hopeless, always looks a goal threat but needs to tidy his all round game up.
Conn-Clarke: 4 – Arguably his weakest showing in a United shirt so far, shrugged off the ball on a number of occasions, overhit a good deal of his passes and turned back towards his own goal more often than not when he’d actually gotten past his man.
Luamba: 7 – Had a very bright start to the game and finished superbly considering he was injured, shame he had to come off.
Linney: 4 – Has been our talisman for the majority of the season but hasn’t found the net in a while and his body language is telling, was snatching at a lot of chances, being overly selfish and neglecting to track back when needed. Got bags of quality but he needs to kick start his form again.
Kelly: 5 – Largely ineffective against a good solid backline, lost out on most of his duels especially against Okoli, didn’t get the greatest of service but needs to do better when the ball does get to him.
Subs:
Ajiboye – 4: Was mostly anonymous after his early introduction and whenever he did get on the ball, he was far too negative or simply gave it away.
Armstrong – 5: Ineffective but received no service to work with.
Wearne – 5: Game had already drifted away from us by the time he came on.
Jones – 5: As above.
Please note these are Craig’s opinions and nothing official!
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Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
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On Wednesday, Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United side welcome Neale Ardley’s Woking to Brunton Park. This is the reverse fixture of the opening game of the season where the Cumbrians came out victorious 2-0.
Both sides are in excellent form as of late and were both unbeaten throughout November so something will have to give in this game.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
Carlisle United haven’t lost a game in the National League since the end of September when they were beaten 2-0 at by Rochdale. Since that defeat the Cumbrians have won seven and drawn two of their last nine National League games.
Last time out, Carlisle were beaten 4-1 by League One side Blackpool in the FA Cup second round.
Woking’s last defeat in all competitions was a heavy 6-2 defeat to Brackley Town in the FA Cup but they haven’t lost in the National League since the end of September when they were beaten 1-0 at high flying Boreham Wood. Since that defeat in the FA Cup Neale Ardley’s side have won six and drawn three of their last nine games.
Last time out, Woking beat strugglers Brackley at home 2-0 thanks to goals from Ollie Sanderson and Josh Kelly.
Previous Meeting
With this being the second game against Woking this season I’m not doing my players to watch like I have for the first half of the season. Instead I’m going to reflect on the previous meeting and where the game was won and lost.
On the opening day of the season Carlisle comfortably came out on top without Woking really laying a glove on them. Woking failed to have a shot on target in the game and lacked real attacking threat.
The Cumbrians struggled early on but once Luke Armstrong opened the scoring after half time they went through the gears. Ethan Robson came of the bench late on and sealed the win with a fantastic free kick.
Woking will want to impose themselves more in this game than they did back in August but Carlisle will be wanting to keep their fantastic form in the National League going with the home advantage.
With some rotation against Blackpool in the FA Cup I expect Mark Hughes to go back to the team that has been so successful in recent weeks. Feeney was ill so he missed the Blackpool game but hopefully he’s back for this one but if not I expect Ellis to continue in defence.
A lot of the Cumbrians’ success this season has been the availability of players and being able to pick unchanged sides or making limited changes to a winning side most weeks so I expect Mark Hughes to try and stick with the eleven that has been doing so well in the league this season.
My Score Prediction
Carlisle United 1-0 Woking
After being exposed defensively and in midfield against a very clinical Blackpool side the Carlisle defence will want to sure up at the back and make up for the heavy defeat in the FA Cup.
The Cumbrians have had a habit of grinding out results and getting over the line despite not playing particularly well and I think that continues here.
Both sides are in excellent form in the league so I expect a close game with Woking being tough to break down and being fresher having not played in the cup like Carlisle have but I think Carlisle just get over the line here with a late goal.
A Message From Paddock Perception
Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
@dan_batemannn
@CraigWL1997
You can also watch Dan every week hosting on The National League Lowdown podcast on YouTube or you can listen to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
On Sunday, Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United travel to Bloomfield Road to take on Ian Evatt’s League One Blackpool in the second round of the FA Cup.
In the previous round, Blackpool beat National League side Scunthorpe United 1-0 and Carlisle came from two goals down to beat League One side Reading 3-2 after extra time.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
Blackpool are winless in their last four games. Their last victory in all competitions was a 3-1 win at home against Cardiff City. They have lost to Tranmere in the EFL trophy, lost to Burton Albion Reading and drew with ten man Leyton Orient in League One.
Last time out Blackpool were beaten 4-2 at Harrogate in the EFL Trophy.
Carlisle United are unbeaten in their last eleven games, winning nine and drawing two of those. The Cumbrians’ last defeat came at home to Rochdale at the end of September but since then they have beaten Boston United twice, Reading in the cup, Scunthorpe, Southend, Hartlepool, Forest Green and Halifax, the two draws came against Yeovil and Eastleigh.
Last time out Mark Hughes’ side saw off a spirited Tamworth side at Brunton Park in a hard fought 2-1 victory.
In the last round Blackpool saw of National League side Scunthorpe 1-0 at Bloomfield Road meanwhile Carlisle United beat League One side Reading 3-2 after extra time.
Players To Watch
Ashley Fletcher
The 30-year-old striker is Blackpool’s main goal threat. The former Manchester United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough forward has lots of experience and will run all day for the team. His movement and ability to find space in the box will cause the Carlisle defenders some problems.
Fletcher has seven goals and two assists in all competitions in a struggling side so far this season.
George Honeyman
The 31-year-old attacking midfielder is one of the leaders in this Blackpool side. The former Sunderland, Hull and Millwall player is very experienced and will keep the League One side ticking with the ball. His ability to find the killer pass in the final third will be something the Cumbrians will have to look out for.
Honeyman has one goal and one assist so far this season but has been in and out of the side due to injury.
Tom Bloxham
The 22-year-old striker is another goal threat for Ian Evatt’s side. His link up with Fletcher and ability to hold the ball up and link the the play will be something Carlisle’s defence will have to keep close tabs on to nullify the Blackpool attack.
Bloxham has struggled so far this season but has two goals and one assist so far to his name in a struggling Blackpool side.
Oliver Casey
The 24-year-old defender has been a consistent performer in recent years for Blackpool and despite their poor form this season he’s been one of the better performers. His clearances and defensive blocks are one of the best in League One and he’s a threat from set pieces at the other end as well.
Casey could really be a difference maker in both boxes and potentially a match winner.
I think Mark Hughes will rotate in some areas for this game but he won’t want to rotate too much and change that winning formula. I can see one of Macadam or Gilliead getting a rest and maybe Davies coming in at right back and a rest for one of Williams or Luamba. Harry Lewis will play in goal as he’s started in the previous two cup games.
My Score Prediction
Blackpool 1-2 Carlisle United (AET)
I think this game maybe goes the distance, Blackpool’s poor form matched with Carlisle’s great form could be the recipe for a classic FA Cup upset. Carlisle beat a League One side to get here and there’s no reason it can’t be done again. The gap from the top of the National League to the bottom of League one has probably never been closer than it is right now.
I’m going 2-1 Carlisle United and another cup upset but I think we may need extra time to do it.
A Message From Paddock Perception
Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
@dan_batemannn
@CraigWL1997
You can also watch Dan every week hosting on The National League Lowdown podcast on YouTube or you can listen to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Carlisle United made it 11 games unbeaten in all competitions after a narrow 2-1 win over mid table Tamworth thanks to a brace from Georgie Kelly.
United came into this game with momentum following their late win away at Boston last weekend and almost found themselves ahead early as Junior Luamba cut back to Kelly from the right flank, but Kelly’s volley flew harmlessly over the Tamworth goal. The hosts had the better of the early exchanges of the game and last week’s match winner Harvey Macadam came close in the 10th minute as his curling left footed shot sailed just wide of Jas Singh’s right hand post.
Tamworth had only won 1 of their previous 5 matches coming into this game but had picked up a couple of impressive results this season and were certainly well in the game, threatening especially through Tyler Roberts, whose dangerous direct run led to a shot which was well blocked by Aaron Hayden.
The Lambs were also threatening down the other flank through Ronan Maher and moments later he had a decent effort from the edge of the area, but the shot was easily held by Gabe Breeze. Despite the Tamworth resurgence, Mark Hughes’ side soon took the lead as an initial cross from Cameron Harper was only cleared as far as Macadam, the ex Morecambe man knocked it right to Luamba, who cut the ball back to Chris Conn-Clarke whose shot was saved by Singh, but Kelly was on his toes to easily tap in the rebound and give Carlisle a 25th minute lead.
Despite Maher moments later again having a low shot well saved by Breeze, Tamworth really struggled to get on the ball after the goal and this led to a sustained period of pressure from the hosts who thought they had scored a second when a corner fell to Luamba who flicked towards goal from close range past Singh who clawed the ball from behind the post when it looked to have creeped over the line. Conn-Clarke was involved again moments later when he was brought down on the edge of the area to win a free kick, and the Peterborough loanee’s set piece was deflected and well saved by Singh.
Conn-Clarke again caused havoc for Tamworth not long after as his mazy run opened up space for a shot but the effort was stopped by the head of Kennedy Digie. Carlisle’s number 38 was again at the centre of things in the 36th minute as he found Regan Linney with a ball down the left flank, and United’s top scorer drilled in a cross which somehow evaded the onrushing pair of Kelly and Tamworth defender Joe Rye.
Despite the pressure from the Cumbrians, it was Tamworth who would notch the second goal of the game as a corner from Maher was initially cleared, but the ball ended up back at his feet before he whipped in a cross and found the near post run of Jordan Ponticelli who expertly flicked into the far corner of the goal to equalise for the visitors. United looked a little rattled by conceding this goal but did have a late first half chance when Linney found Harper on the edge of the area but his effort on his weaker right foot was tame and easily saved by Singh.
HALF TIME: Carlisle 1 – 1 Tamworth
Contrary to the first half, Tamworth started the second by far the better of the two sides and a looping cross from Maher almost caught out Breeze in the United area, striking the bar as it sailed over his head, the ball fell to Solihull loanee Dan Creaney, who had already scored against United this season for his parent club, but his effort was deflected wide of the goal.
Carlisle were keen to make their extra quality count and broke down the other end quickly as Conn-Clarke played a cross field pass to Linney, whose effort from the left hand side was unconvincingly pushed wide by Singh. Linney threatened again not long after but this time his effort was blocked by the foot of Digie after another great ball from Conn-Clarke.
Andy Peaks’ side were given a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 51st minute as Maher nutmegged Alex Gilliead on the left flank before driving into the area and being clipped by a sliding tackle from Josh Williams. Tamworth captain Ben Milnes stepped up to the spot, but his penalty was a poor one and well saved by Breeze to his right hand side.
Tamworth really looked like the missed penalty had knocked the stuffing out of them as the game lacked quality in the following 10 minutes or so before Linney had another decent chance after Harper found him with a ball dow n the line but United’s top scorer’s effort was tame and easily saved by Singh.
Carlisle looked to up the ante and went 2 up front, bringing Luke Armstrong on for the final 15 minutes and they came close not long after as a Tamworth clearance only went as far as Conn-Clarke on the edge of the penalty area, but his curling effort was well held again by Singh in the Tamworth goal.
Tamworth were beginning to look likely to hold out for a point but their hopes were dashed moments later as Conn-Clarke again found Linney on the left flank before Linney’s driven cross found the near post run of Kelly, who flicked in to restore Carlisle’s advantage. Linney almost found a goal himself minute later as he cut in from the left flank and hit a 30 yard effort towards the top right corner which saw the ball whistle just past the post.
The Blues were looking to put the game beyond all doubt late on and substitute David Ajiboye came close in the 86th minute as his shot from the edge of the area was deflected and then tipped onto the bar by Singh. One final chance would come Carlisle’s way as Kelly was tackled in the area before the ball was cleared as far as Macadam who drove a first time effort towards goal, but saw it edge barely wide of the right hand post. Ultimately it didn’t matter however as Carlisle sealed the 3 points to retain 2nd place in a hotly contested National League.
FULL TIME: Carlisle 2 – 1 Tamworth: Kelly (25′, 79′) – Ponticelli (39′)
This was far from a pretty win but could be one of those that we look back on as vital come the end of the season. We could and probably should have been out of sight in the first half, missing a good handful of chances to double and maybe triple our lead after we opened the scoring, but simultaneously we were lucky not to fall behind when Breeze saved Milnes’ penalty in the second half.
Tamworth didn’t look like the best of outfits but looked threatening from set pieces and in Maher and Roberts had a couple of good players out wide that had our defence on our toes. 11 games unbeaten shows we’re absolutely doing a lot of things right, but we could certainly do with upping our game and especially being more clinical against better sides in the coming weeks.
Carlisle Player Ratings:
Breeze: 7 – Seemed in no man’s land for the cross in the second half which hit the bar, but a vital penalty save and otherwise commanded his area quite well.
Williams: 6 – Silly tackle to give away the penalty but his pace was always apparent especially as the game went on.
Feeney: 6 – Not much to note here, did his job well but had a couple of questionable balls out from defence and slowed the game down a bit too much.
Hayden: 7 – Battled very well in the air against a tough test in Ponticelli and swept up some potentially dangerous situations.
Harper: 7 – Looked like he was in for a tough evening early on against Roberts but grew as the game went on and stuck to his guns, linked up well with Linney.
Gilliead: 6 – Had a solid enough game in midfield without doing anything particularly remarkable.
Macadam: 7 – Used the ball well and showed good pace and strength in his recovery runs when called upon, unlucky not to score late on.
Conn-Clarke: 8 (MoTM) – Most of what we did well today went through him, found teammates in dangerous areas with his passing and was a big part of our opening goal.
Linney : 7 – Donkor did very well against him today, struggled to beat him at points but was especially dangerous in the second half and got a deserved assist for the 2nd goal.
Luamba: 5 – Not his game today, looked bright early on but faded as the game progressed and struggled with some basic things in the second half.
Kelly: 8 – Led the line well on his own, looked like it might have been another one of those games for him when he missed the early chance but he stuck at it and was definitely helped when Armstrong came on. Was given sponsors’ man of the match.
Subs:
Ajiboye: 6 – Did ok when he came on, still could do with being more positive.
Armstrong: 6 – Worked hard after coming on, helped take some of the attention away from Kelly.
Ellis: N/A – Not on long enough to judge.
Please note these are Craig’s opinions and nothing official!
A Message From Paddock Perception
Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
@dan_batemannn
@CraigWL1997
You can also watch Dan every week hosting on The National League Lowdown podcast on YouTube or you can listen to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
On Saturday, Mark Hughes’ in form Carlisle United side welcome Andy Peaks’ Tamworth side to Brunton Park.
Carlisle will be looking to extend their unbeaten run meanwhile Tamworth will be looking for a huge win on the road and looking to turn their poor recent form around.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
Carlisle United are now unbeaten in their last ten games, they have won eight and drawn two in that time. Some performances haven’t been pretty but they have got over the line and got the results and that’s all that matters. The wins have came over Hartlepool, Scunthorpe, Boston, Forest Green, Reading, Halifax and Southend. The two draws came against Eastleigh and Yeovil in games you could argue they should have won.
Last time out the Cumbrians beat Boston United 2-1 away from home thanks to a brace from Harvey Macadam.
Tamworth have only one win in their last six games in all competitions with the win coming in a 2-1 victory over high flying Boreham Wood away from home. The defeats have came against Boston, Leyton Orient, Woking and Forest Green.
Last time out Tamworth lost 2-1 at home to top of the table Rochdale.
Players To Watch
Kennedy Digie
The 28-year-old defender has been one of their standout performers so far this season and has been a goal threat from set pieces a lot this season. Digie has four goals so far this season and Carlisle will have to watch out for him on Tamworth’s well worked set pieces.
Tom Tonks
The 34-year-old defender is one of Tamworth’s biggest threats. Tonks’ long throw is well documented but still as difficult as ever to deal with. If the Carlisle defence can deal with the Tonks long throw they will have done a lot more than a lot of teams have been able to do I recent times against Tamworth.
Manny Duku
The 32-year-old forward has been Tamworth’s main goalscorer this season and has six goals and two assists to his name so far this season. His runs off the ball and ability to link up play with his fellow forwards will be something that the Carlisle defence will have to keep a close eye on in this game.
Dan Creaney
The 31-year-old striker scored 19 goals in the National League last season for Tamworth before a move to Solihull Moors in the summer but it didn’t quite work out for him at Solihull so he’s now back at Tamworth on loan and his eye for goal is something Carlisle have already experienced this season when he scored against them for Solihull Moors at Brunton Park. Creaney has four goals and two assists so far this season.
Why change a winning team? I have said this a lot lately but I think Hughes will stick with the team that has been getting so many positive results in recent weeks.
The only change I could maybe see happening is the change Hughes made on Saturday which contributed to us winning the game and that was Archie Davies to right back and pushing Josh Williams further forward in place of Junior Luamba.
My Score Prediction
Carlisle United 3-1 Tamworth
Tamworth could cause Carlisle problems as mentioned above with long throws and their organisation but I think with the form Carlisle are in and the amount of players chipping in with goal contributions you have to think that the Cumbrians will extend their unbeaten run here.
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A late equaliser from Kieron Evans denied Carlisle United a fifth consecutive home win in all competitions in front of a league season record 10,860 fans at Brunton Park.
The hosts started the game in the ascendancy and enjoyed plenty of possession of the ball in the opening 10 minutes, almost finding an early breakthrough when Chris Conn-Clarke chipped the ball down the left and found Regan Linney, but a superb challenge by Richard Brindley stopped United’s top scorer from getting his effort away. The Spitfires had more joy after the 10 minute mark in the game but were struggling to create clear cut chances against a strong Carlisle backline.
Mark Hughes’ side missed a series of opportunities in the following minutes, initially as a reverse ball from Linney played in Alex Gilliead down the left, his chipped ball to the back post found Junior Luamba whose volley from an awkward height was headed behind by Aaron Pierre. The resulting corner from Conn-Clarke was met by the head of Georgie Kelly but was well saved down low by Nick Townsend in the Eastleigh goal.
United’s number 9 had another golden chance moments later as he lost his man in the area and brought down a ball in from Conn-Clarke and had all the time in the world to find the finish, but Townsend pulled off a superb save as the ex Rotherham striker tried to find the top right corner. Conn-Clarke was again involved soon after as he broke away on the counter and slipped the ball down the left to Linney, but his cross-shot was gathered down low by the resolute Townsend. Scott Bartlett’s side were under the cosh but kept Carlisle on their toes with the occasional skirmish forward, with the pace of Sam Pearson in particular always threatening on the counter.
Georgie Kelly had two more sights of goal before the interval, as Conn-Clarke again drove through the middle of the pitch before slipping him the ball just inside the area, but his shot was poor and dragged well wide of the left hand post, before in the 39th minute a great ball in by Luamba found Kelly in between the Eastleigh centre backs, but United’s number 9 could only head onto the bar from just outside the 6 yard box, leaving the Carlisle faithful frustrated going into the half time breka.
HALF TIME: Carlisle 0 – 0 Eastleigh
The Blues had made a habit of starting halves slowly this season and despite their first half dominance, Eastleigh had a great chance to score in the opening minutes of the second half as a short corner was played to Josh Lundstram, whose chipped cross found the head of the onrushing Lloyd Humphries, but the ex Weston-super-Mare midfielder could only head wide of the goal.
Eastleigh were made to rue this missed opportunity in the 50th minute as a great tackle in midfield by Harvey Macadam dispossessed Kieron Evans before Macadam slipped Luamba in down the right wing, before the ex Salford man played a 1-2 with Conn-Clarke and firing his resulting effort through a crowd of bodies and past the despairing Townsend to give Carlisle the lead.
United were getting plenty of joy down the flanks after the goal, with Linney and Cameron Harper causing Eastleigh a good deal of problems down the left, but it was Luamba again who would have the next chance in the 63rd minute as he was again played in by Macadam, but his shot from a tricky angle was sliced well wide, Carlisle were applying heavy pressure to Eastleigh but were unable to find the second goal.
United’s talisman Linney was in action again in the 76th minute when Harper slipped him in down the line, but his shot was well saved by Townsend before Conn-Clarke had a chance 8 minutes later when an attempted through ball rebounded back to him but his resulting effort was easily held by Townsend once again.
In the dying minutes of normal time it was Carlisle who were then made to regret their missed opportunities as an excellent one two between Evans and Humphries played Eastleigh’s number 7 into the box, and he made no mistake, slotting the ball past Gabe Breeze to send the 80 Eastleigh away followers into raptures.
The hosts looked rattled by this late equaliser and almost found themselves going behind as a bad pass by substitute Jack Ellis saw the ball find its way to substitute Ciaran McGuckin down the left flank before he squared across to Harvey Saunders, but his swivelling effort was just about blocked by Aaron Hayden.
There was still time for more drama in added time as a direct through ball from Harper found the run of substitute Luke Armstrong, who slotted his left footed effort underneath Townsend before seeing it strike the foot of the right hand post and roll agonizingly across the goal line when the majority of Brunton Park thought it was in.
Unfortunately this can’t really be seen as anything except two points dropped. We had control of the vast majority of the game and created numerous chances especially for Kelly in the first half and we were made to regret missing the majority of them. Despite it being an overall pretty good team performance, the naivety and arrogance did feel like it shone through a little towards the end of the game as we were really poor in possession after the substitutions were made.
The substitutions in particular were a big talking point as Macadam, who was excellent, was surprisingly withdrawn and his replacement Ellis, as well as fellow sub Wearne, both had absolute stinkers in the short time they were on. Eastleigh were dogged in their approach but only mustered the one shot on target all game and that was enough to get themselves a point so credit goes to them for their resilience and digging in against the pressure.
The key thing for us now is being able to bounce back next week against Boston and get back to winning ways.
Carlisle Player Ratings:
Breeze: 6 – Commanded his area well but was beaten by Eastleigh’s only effort on target.
Williams: 8 (MoTM) – Close run thing with Macadam but rarely put a foot wrong, used his pace superbly well to make some recovery challenges, linked up well with Luamba and stuck to his defensive tasks when needed too
Feeney: 7 – Never really put a foot wrong, composed on the ball and looked a threat from corners again
Hayden: 6 – Questionable decision making with the ball once or twice but overall had a decent enough game
Harper: 7 – Thought he played well tonight, took up pockets of space infield when Linney moved out wide, good in the tackle and his passing almost led to another goal or two.
Gilliead: 7 – Used the ball well as he normally does and made some good recovery tackles.
Macadam: 8 – Ran the majority of the game in the middle, great bit of defending to win the ball in the lead up to our goal, questionable decision to take him off.
Linney: 6 – Definitely one of his quieter games, got a couple of shots off but never really looked like his usual self.
Conn-Clarke: 7 – An extremely hard player to mark as the majority of the play went through him and he created some good chances, but his decision making at points really let him down in the final third.
Luamba: 7 – Worked hard at both ends of the pitch like he usually does, took his goal well and flashed some good balls across the box which were crying out for someone to get on the end of.
Kelly: 5 – His link up play was good as usual but his finishing was appalling tonight, in particular towards the end of the first half when he could have had a hat trick.
Subs:
Ellis: 4 – Maybe harsh as he wasn’t on for long but his passing was dreadful in the few minutes he was on and he really let Eastleigh back into the game.
Armstrong: 6 – Worked hard when he came on and unlucky not to score the last gasp winner.
Wearne: 5 – Similarly to Ellis, really struggled when he came on but slightly less guilty when it came to his passing.
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On Saturday, Mark Hughes in form Carlisle United side welcome Scott Bartlett’s out of form Eastleigh side to Brunton Park.
The Cumbrians will be looking to build on their nearly perfect recent form against a struggling Eastleigh.
How Have Both Teams Been Performing?
Carlisle have won four and drawn one of their last five games in all competitions and have seven wins in their last eight. Those wins include victories over Hartlepool, Scunthorpe, Forest Green and Halifax in the National League, wins over Reading and Boston in the FA Cup, the only blemish on that recent record was a draw away to Yeovil.
Last time out Mark Hughes’ side produce a battling performance to grind out a 2-1 win at Southend.
Eastleigh have had the opposite run to Carlisle and only have one win, one draw and four defeats in their last six games in all competitions. Those defeats were at the hands of Sutton and Boreham Wood in the National League, Walsall in the FA Cup, their draw came at home to Scunthorpe and their only win in that time came at home to struggling Morecambe.
Last time out Eastleigh produced a spirited display but were beaten at home 4-2 by York City.
Players To Watch
Luke Skinner
The 17-year-old forward only joined Eastleigh at the start of October on loan from Bristol City but he has found his feet in recent weeks and scored two goals against York City last time out.
His movement off the ball and runs in behind defenders will keep the Carlisle defence on their toes as he likes to try and replace the Eastleigh’s injured top goalscorer Aaron Blair.
Archie Harris
The 20-year-old wing back has been a constant threat for Eastleigh this season. His runs forward in to the left wing position and his crosses in to the danger area have already seen his notch up five assists so far this season.
Southend got a lot of joy down their left against Carlisle at the weekend so I expect Eastleigh to maybe target that area again through Harris.
CiaranMcGuckin
The 21-year-old forward has been Eastleigh’s main goal threat since Aaron Blair’s injury but wasn’t in the squad against York so he could be injured as well now sadly but if he does play a part he will certainly be one to watch.
His goal threat and ability to find space in the box is exceptional and he will look to find those pockets of space against Carlisle if he does play.
Josh Lundstram
The 26-year-old midfielder will be looking to get on the ball for Scott Bartlett’s side and dictate the play, Carlisle’s midfield will have to stop that from happening. He will keep the ball ticking over and looking to give the ball to the creative players and the forwards in key areas.
Lundstram is hard in the challenge and will be looking to fight hard in the centre of the pitch against Macadam and Gilliead for Carlisle.
Why change a winning team? I think Hughes will stick with his trusted team with the exception of maybe Luamba dropping out after going off injured against Southend with Davies or Ellis coming in at right back and Williams playing further forward.
My Score Prediction
Carlisle United 3-1 Eastleigh
I think Eastleigh will put in a spirited display like they have done against other top sides this season but Carlisle are in such good form and are creating chances even in the difficult away games that I think the Cumbrians will have too much in the final third for Eastleigh.
Carlisle have only lost once at home this season and have been strong at home in recent weeks so this will be a tough afternoon for Eastleigh.
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Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
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Carlisle United emerged victorious in the battle of the promotion rivals as goals from Chris Conn-Clarke and Regan Linney saw them run out 2-1 winners over Southend United.
Southend and Carlisle both came into this game on a 5 match unbeaten run in the National League and the first few minutes of the match really showed why, withboth sides mounting some dangerous attacks in the early goings of the game with the cutting edge just being lacking. Carlisle had the best chance of the opening 15 when Georgie Kelly bounced Ben Goodliffe off the ball before trying to slip the ball left to Linney, but his pass was short and well intercepted by Harry Taylor.
The Blues came into the late kick off as the league’s third best scorers and became joint second best scorers moments later as Josh Williams found Chris Conn-Clarke in between the lines before the Peterborough loanee swivelled onto his left foot and hit a shot from the edge of the area underneath the outstretched arm of Nick Hayes, who really should have done better, to give Carlisle an early lead.
The visitors doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Conn-Clarke was again involved, breaking down the middle of the pitch and playing Linney in down the left who shifted onto his right foot and placed his shot expertly into the bottom right corner to put his side 2 up and net his 15th goal of the season in all competitions.
The Shrimpers had only suffered one defeat at home this season and were looking to avoid a second, hitting back almost immediately as Oli Coker found Nathan Ralph on the left flank and the Southend captain’s low cross found an unmarked Sam Austin who turned in first time at the near post to halve the deficit.
The hosts were getting a lot of joy down the left flank in the game and Archie Davies, on early as a result of an injury to Junior Luamba, was struggling to contain the threat coming down that side from the likes of Ralph, who created a good chance for an equaliser in the 40th minute when he slipped in Cav Miley, but ex Eastleigh man’s low effort was well saved down low by Gabe Breeze. Southend had another chance moments later as a mazy run from Harry Boyes set up a chance for Coker on the edge of the area, but Breeze was again alert to save down low.
Boyes was again involved in first half stoppage time as his corner was headed over by the onrushing Gus Scott-Morris before Carlisle had a huge chance to make it 3-1 just before the break as Davies found Conn-Clarke in space who again turned onto his left foot and burst past Goodliffe, but his driven shot was superbly saved by the foot of Hayes in the Southend goal.
HALF TIME: Southend 1 – 2 Carlisle
Kevin Maher’s side started the second half flying and almost found an equaliser when Scott-Morris chipped the ball through and a mix up between Breeze and Morgan Feeney presented a chance to Josh Walker, but Breeze was alert enough to stop the ex Spurs youngster from scoring.
Carlisle’s keeper was on hand again in the 53rd minute when a free kick caused them trouble before a chipped ball in found Walker inside the 6 yard box, but his downward header was somehow kept out by the Blues’ stopper before Scott-Morris again headed a corner over the bar moments later.
The hosts were well in the ascendancy and a lovely ball in from Andy Dallas following a strong run down the right found Coker, but his effort was well blocked by Aaron Hayden. Mark Hughes’ side were having to really dig in to keep a hold of their lead and were saved moments later as Feeney got back to clear off the line when a great ball in from Ralph was headed back across goal by Scott-Morris.
Carlisle knew a win here would see them regain top spot in the National League and they looked to give themselves some breathing room as a fantastic through ball from Conn-Clarke found Williams down the right, who used his pace to charge through on goal but the ex Birmingham man blazed his eventual effort over the bar.
Maher’s side kept on applying pressure to Carlisle and saw an effort by substitute Keenan Appiah-Forson blocked by Feeney before a Carlisle counter in stoppage time saw Conn-Clarke find Linney with a reverse ball down the right but the Blues’ top scorer couldn’t find his way past Hayes at the near post.
Southend toiled to find an equaliser and sent Hayes forward for a couple of late set pieces but Carlisle held firm to seal the 2-1 win and take 3 points back up north and once again claim top spot in the National League.
This was a very, very hard fought win for the Blues tonight, when we went 2-0 up within half an hour it looked like it could have been a very comfortable night for us but it turned out to be anything but, that quick defensive switch off saw us under a lot of pressure for the majority of the game but some stout defensive work and some good saves by Breeze saw us through in the end.
Conn-Clarke was superb in the middle, bagging a goal and an assist and could easily have had one more of each too. This was the sort of game it feels like we might have crumbled in not too long ago so it was great to see the side dig in and come away with the 3 points in the end as it’s a ground that not too many teams will win at this season i feel like. Hopefully next week will see a bouncing Brunton Park and we’ll be able to keep this fantastic momentum going.
Carlisle Player Ratings:
Breeze: 7 – Commanded his area well when he needed to and pulled out a couple of good saves to stop Southend.
Williams: 6 – Struggled to get into the game for large periods but did trouble Southend with his pace, should have scored when Conn-Clarke played him in.
Hayden: 7 – Couple of very good blocks and won a lot in the air, did misjudge a couple of balls but overall a good showing from him.
Feeney: 8 – Barring one miscommunication with Breeze he was superb tonight, with a heroic goal line clearance, a couple of great challenges and some great blocks.
Harper: 7 – One of his better games in a United shirt, didn’t do a lot wrong at the back and combined well with Linney at points, could do more to stop crosses coming in.
Gilliead: 7 – Made some great recovery tackles in the midfield and was unlucky with a couple of smart forward passes he attempted.
Macadam: 6 – Not as influential as he was against Halifax but did well protecting the backline when required.
Luamba: 6 – Unlucky to go off with injury, looked dangerous in the early goings.
Conn-Clarke: 8 (MoTM) – Probably his best league performance for the club so far, notched a goal and an assist, came close to bagging a second and was unlucky not to get another assist as both Williams and Linney missed chances.
Linney: 7 – Took his goal very well and unlucky not to score again late on, decision making slightly off at times but always had the Southend defence on edge when he ran with the ball.
Kelly: 6 – Struggled to get into the game for most of the first half but worked hard to hold the ball up and relieve the pressure when we needed it.
Subs:
Davies: 4 – Really struggled when he came on at full back, got clearly targeted by Southend and was hooked as he was on the verge of being sent off.
Ellis: 7 – Solidified the right hand side and showed great feet towards the end of the game to get out of some sticky situtations.
Armstrong and Grant: N/A – Not on long enough.
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Thank you everyone for reading Paddock Perception, your support means everything! Please don’t forget you can follow Dan and Craig on X for more football content:
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