Stunning, sneaky and spectacular...Carlisle United's top 50 goals of the decade

Graham Kavanagh v Leeds, January 19 2010

In United’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy northern final first leg at Elland Road, an old-school rocket of a volley from their silver-haired player-coach.

Adam Clayton v Yeovil, March 16 2010

A dipping, edge-of-the area finish at the Warwick Road End from the Manchester City loan midfielder that settled a tight game.

Ian Harte v Southampton, April 24, 2010

You could choose any number of Harte set-pieces, but this was the best: close to the box, the wall seemingly insurmountable, his magical left foot still sweeping it home.

Craig Curran v Sheffield Wednesday, September 11, 2010

One of Carlisle’s more memorable away days under Greg Abbott, clinched when striker Curran stepped inside and bent an excellent low shot into the Owls’ net.

Lubo Michalik v Hartlepool, September 28, 2010

Only United’s big Slovakian defender could have fancied his chances from this far out. His long-distance free-kick against Pools stunned everyone in Victoria Park.

James Berrett v Swindon, February 19, 2011

Berrett had a productive first season with goals and assists, and the midfielder’s attractive effort into the top corner at the County Ground from 25 yards earned United victory.

Ben Marshall v Brighton, March 5, 2011

In a 4-3 humdinger at the Withdean Stadium, Marshall’s quick feet and deadly finish was evidence of the young Stoke loanee’s potential.

Francois Zoko v Hartlepool, March 8, 2011

Frank Simek’s cross seemed to have been diverted out of reach by Pools defender Evan Horwood. But Zoko adjusted and turned a half-chance into a goal thanks to a perfect overhead kick.

Peter Murphy v Brentford, April 3, 2011

A moment of glory to win the JPT at Wembley, and no little skill: Murphy’s cushion and volley was the work of a cultured player who became a Blues legend.

Liam Noble v Rochdale, April 24, 2011

Noble was never afraid to chance his arm from distance, and in the sun at Spotland the midfielder connected with a sweet shot in an Easter comeback win.

Matty Robson v Walsall, October 1, 2011

Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick wobblers were all the rage in this period, and Robson was keen to try his luck. From 35 yards, he dispatched a spectacular effort at the Banks’s Stadium.

Rory Loy v Sheffield Wednesday, October 25, 2011

The highlight of a barnstorming 3-2 win came when Loy stepped in from the left and sent a missile past Stephen Bywater: a beautifully violent finish from the Scot.

Francois Zoko v Sheffield United, January 2, 2012

Another five-goal thriller against south Yorkshire opposition, this one kicked off by Zoko, who outwitted the stooping Harry Maguire, dribbled clear and finished with a swagger.

James Berrett v Huddersfield, March 31, 2012

A pass-and-move masterpiece against a side unaccustomed to losing. Former Terrier Berrett provided the finishing touch to some of Carlisle’s best football under Greg Abbott.

Lee Miller v Huddersfield, March 31, 2012

The dying seconds, a mighty up-and-under from Danny Livesey, Miller’s skilled backheader, delirium in the stands and Abbott circling Simon Grayson in mad celebration. Brunton Park hasn’t shaken as much since.

Mark Beck v Ipswich, August 28, 2012

A dramatic cup night, lit up by Carlisle’s youngsters. Before Dave Symington’s winner, teenage striker Beck levelled against Championship opposition with a bullet header.

Dave Symington v Scunthorpe, January 26, 2013

The young west Cumbrian was capable of dangerous things from free-kicks, and this one – a magnificent shot from great distance – was as well-struck as Brunton Park has seen.

JP McGovern v Crawley, March 5, 2013

United were in decline by this stage, but there were still traces of better times when McGovern took aim from halfway and his right boot delivered the ball into Crawley’s net.

Tom Lawrence v Tranmere, December 14, 2013

His touch and volley in the first minute was stunning enough. But later the Manchester United loanee topped it with an inspired dribble that was too good for the Wirral defence.

Lee Miller v Bradford, February 11, 2014

Before Carlisle plummeted from League One, their Scottish target-man produced a few last moments of quality, such as this bicycle-kick winner against the Bantams.

Brad Potts v Burton, October 21, 2014

The Brewers were League Two’s best side, and put four past Carlisle at Brunton Park, but Potts had also by now found a goal touch and the home-grown midfielder sent a great, rising shot into the net here.

Kyle Dempsey v Northampton, March 17, 2015

After Jason Kennedy had scored with his prolific belly, Dempsey leapt miles to head home a clinching second at Sixfields: a tribute to all the leg power he had developed in the gym.

Gary Dicker v Plymouth, April 18, 2015

Dicker was often a stranger to scoring – and to Keith Curle’s affections – but he brilliantly volleyed from outside the box to set up a win that ensured Football League safety.

Kevin Osei v Chesterfield, August 11, 2015

A fleeting moment in a forgettable Blues career, but it felt like Osei had much more to offer when he dribbled down the left, cut in and curled superbly into the net to wrap up a League Cup victory.

Joe Thompson v Plymouth, August 18, 2015

Not spectacular, and no more than consolation in a 4-1 defeat. But as a player’s first goal since recovering from cancer, Thompson’s close-range effort at Home Park will always deserve celebration.

Tom Miller v Hartlepool, August 29, 2015

In front of a boisterous away end, the full-back received the ball on the right and bent a left-footed beauty into the Monkey Hangers’ net, setting up a 3-2 win.

Derek Asamoah v Liverpool, September 23, 2015

A goal in United’s folklore: Bastien Hery’s shimmy, Asamoah’s dart, a near-post finish in front of the Kop, that machine-gun celebration, and an away end in ecstasy.

Danny Grainger v Portsmouth, November 21, 2015

Most of Grainger’s specials came with his left foot, but his standing leg wasn’t bad either, as shown when he cut in and dispatched a last-gasp equaliser against Pompey.

Jason Kennedy v York, January 23, 2016

JK probably scored better goals than this (an overhead kick at Morecambe comes to mind). But few were as rewarding as the nimble run and clipped finish that achieved Brunton Park’s first goal since the Storm Desmond floods.

Jack Stacey v Bristol Rovers, March 28, 2016

The young Reading loanee, now of the Premier League, measured his curling effort perfectly to set Carlisle on their way to an Easter Monday victory over the Pirates.

Danny Grainger v Hartlepool, October 15, 2016

Games against Pools seldom passed quietly, and Grainger was again to the fore in this 3-2 home win as he charged onto Nicky Adams’ free-kick tap and rifled into the bottom corner.

Luke Joyce v Crawley, October 29, 2016

A majestic way to end a 61-game drought, as midfielder Joyce controlled a breaking ball, blasted it high into Crawley’s net and celebrated as if to say: ‘This is what I do.’

Shaun Brisley v Yeovil, December 17, 2016

Nobody, least of all Yeovil’s rooted keeper, expected this: a snapshot of a volley from 40 yards which dipped and smacked the back of the net. Not your average centre-half’s goal.

Nicky Adams v Doncaster, February 14, 2017

A lovely moment on Valentine’s night. Adams showed maximum technique to volley home at the back post against the leaders, and dedicated it to his dad Terry who had been fighting cancer.

Jabo Ibehre v Notts County, April 8, 2017

The Islington Assassin tried to blast new life into United’s promotion bid with a searing run and finish past County’s Adam Collin. Two late goals at the other end then rendered it futile.

Nicky Adams v Newport, April 29, 2017

In a must-win game, Adams displayed his class with a give-and-go and curling finish that dramatically sustained United’s play-off hopes for another week.

Shaun Miller v Barnet, September 16, 2017

One of the very best on this list, Miller sewed up the goal-of-the-season contest early when he cushioned keeper Shamal George’s clearance and then hooked it spectacularly home on the volley.

Danny Grainger v Yeovil, November 11, 2017

The Glovers committed the cardinal sin of allowing Grainger space within 30 yards of their goal. He accepted Mike Jones’ pass, took a touch and then bent it powerfully out of the keeper’s reach.

Shaun Miller v Accrington, December 26, 2017

Not quite as memorable as his Barnet goal, but similar in style, as Miller sent Carlisle into the lead with another clever edge-of-the-area volley.

Jamie Devitt v Colchester, February 10, 2018

After a long wait, Devitt had by now discovered his scoring boots, and his curling free-kick to earn a 1-1 draw against the Essex men at Brunton Park was perfection.

Richie Bennett v Crawley, March 17, 2018

Something of a forgotten gem, given it came in a game when United sloppily lost a 2-0 lead. But there was great technique and power in Bennett’s volleyed finish from a tricky angle on the left.

Hallam Hope v Blackburn, August 14, 2018

Devitt had scored similarly a few days earlier against Northampton. Hope’s 30-yard rocket, though, was even better, even though it was United’s only goal in a 5-1 cup defeat.

Macaulay Gillesphey v Morecambe, September 4, 2018

The Checkatrade Trophy was deserted by many United fans. Those there on a quiet Tuesday night saw Gillesphey cap a long passing move with a meaty finish for John Sheridan’s side.

Jack Sowerby v Oldham, October 6, 2018

A successful away performance was garnished by this gem from Sowerby, as the loan midfielder spun elegantly away from defenders before slotting home.

Danny Grainger v Newport, November 3, 2018

With great drama, United’s Cumbrian captain drove an injury-time shot high into Newport’s net: a controlled eruption all the better for being a last-gasp winner.

Regan Slater v Swindon, November 17, 2018

Comfortably Slater’s finest loan day for United came at the County Ground. He had sent one missile past the home keeper before this excellent individual strike, when he buzzed past opponents then fizzed home a shot.

Jamie Devitt v Morecambe, January 1, 2019

Devitt had a liking for scoring against his old club and did so superbly on New Year’s Day, receiving a throw over his shoulder and in one movement crashing a volley in off the bar.

Hallam Hope v Notts County, March 12, 2019

A pantomime goal and a moment of ingenuity, as Hope lurked on the goalline, sneaked up on keeper Ryan Schofield as he rolled the ball out, turned it into the net and was rewarded with millions of Twitter views.

Mike Jones v Dulwich Hamlet, November 8, 2019

Jones goals for United are rare, but the midfielder saved a beauty for the live television cameras, firing into the top corner from outside the box to ease Carlisle’s nerves in the FA Cup first round.

Jarrad Branthwaite v Morecambe, November 12, 2019

A moment of history as 17-year-old Branthwaite ran half the length of the pitch in the Leasing.com Trophy, slotted home, and broke a 29-year-old record to become Carlisle’s youngest scorer in the process.