Emotional night for Abbott as Carlisle Utd edge seven-goal thriller
Last updated at 16:24, Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Greg Abbott admitted he had been through every possible emotion after Carlisle United won an astonishing seven-goal thriller at MK Dons last night.
The Cumbrians threw away a three-goal lead against Paul Ince’s high-fliers before Joe Anyinsah came off the bench to claim a dramatic winner. The 4-3 victory at stadium:mk was described as “massive” by Abbott, three days after the home defeat to Swindon had heaped pressure back on the Blues manager.
“Knowing the importance of the game, we are happy, relieved, exhausted, excited - the whole lot,” he said.
“It was a special night. We went from the height of ecstasy to the depths of despair and then back up again. It was an amazing game of football.”
Recalled Kevan Hurst and a brace of Vincent Pericard headers gave Carlisle a shock 3-0 lead inside 20 minutes before Luke Chadwick (two) and Sam Baldock brought the Dons level by the 47th minute.
Anyinsah, who had been dropped in favour of Hurst, then came on for the injured Adam Clayton to bundle home a corner in the 66th minute.
The Blues held on for the win which took them up two places to 17th in League One, in front of 9,459 fans including 327 travelling United supporters.
Midfielder Tom Taiwo was sent off in injury-time after receiving his second booking, and will now serve a one-match suspension.
But Abbott - who gave a league debut to keeper Adam Collin after axing Lenny Pidgeley - said the victory was the perfect tonic after the Swindon defeat left him facing the anger of Blues fans.
“I was critical of the players on Saturday and I was very low myself, but we had a heart-to-heart and they responded to it,” the manager said.
“To win the game after MK Dons had come back to 3-3 shows a massive amount of bravery. And I think we deserved it.”
Abbott said it was too early to comment on the seriousness of Clayton’s injury. But Richard Offiong, who injured his knee in training on Monday and was absent last night, is likely to be available for Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Norwich.
- United's reserves host Tranmere this afternoon (Brunton Park, 2pm) but the game is likely to be subject to a pitch inspection.
First published at 11:20, Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
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Speaking of emotions, spare a thought for the ball boy who couldn't find the ball in the empty stand last night and had his every leap (over rows of empty) seats cheered by 300 Carlisle fans! One of many highlights on a brilliant night.
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Greg Abbott must get two quality defenders in. He has the team playing good football, but the defending is continuously letting the side down. It was the same last season and nothing has changed this season. Stiffen up the defence and we would be pushing for promotion, not just the play offs.
Posted by stuart selkirk on 25 November 2009 at 18:08