Carlisle United performed well in the first half of their season to put themselves in the promotion race – but still came across some top opponents on their way.
As the Blues wait to return to action, we look at some of the best individuals who have stood in the way of Chris Beech’s team in League Two since last September.
JOE IRONSIDE – CAMBRIDGE UNITED
At the earliest point of the season, before the Blues had gelled, Cambridge’s strikeforce proved too much for them.
The 3-0 defeat at the Abbey Stadium was a bracing start for United, and Ironside was a big reason for that in all ways.
Cambridge built their dangerous game on his stature and line-leading. Ironside drew defenders, won aerial contests and, late in the game, got the goal his efforts deserved.
RORY WATSON – SCUNTHORPE UNITED
There might not, initially, appear much to commend Scunthorpe’s defending considering they are 18th. Goalkeeper Watson, meanwhile, lost his place to experienced signing Mark Howard in October.
Before then, though, the 25-year-old enjoyed an inspired afternoon against the Cumbrians.
Watson was still a superb barrier, saving at close-range from Ethan Walker, athletically from Jon Mellish and defiantly from Lewis Alessandra. There was simply no way through.
LUKE NORRIS – COLCHESTER UNITED
United showed staying power to build some good results through October, and certainly needed those qualities against Colchester
The Blues sped into a two-goal lead but by the 52nd minute they had lost it, because Norris – still just 27 but with the awareness of an old hand – had dragged Colchester back in with a clinical header and then a successful penalty.
Aaron Hayden’s late finish secured a 3-2 win for Carlisle, but the well-travelled Norris (now at Stevenage) had pushed them close.
BEN TOZER – CHELTENHAM TOWN
The clearest case of United being served with some of their own medicine came when Cheltenham visited Cumbria in November.
Joshua Kayode’s long throws have been an important part of Carlisle’s arsenal this season, but Tozer is another League Two player with slingshot skills.
His monster delivery in the 15th minute caught United out as Will Boyle arrived to head the Robins’ opening goal in a 2-1 win. Tozer was later brought down for their winning penalty, in one of several 2020/21 games in which the 30-year-old has made his mark.
ALFIE MAY – CHELTENHAM TOWN
Not a goalscorer as Cheltenham became the first visiting side to win at Brunton Park this season, but May was the brightest attacking player on the pitch that night.
After the Robins had established two-goal control, May was dangerous and inventive on the break at a time United were chasing things.
The former Doncaster player helped to test a Carlisle side who would preferred to have been attacking in search of a way back. Later in the campaign the forward got an FA Cup goal against Manchester City, and looks key to Cheltenham’s push for honours.
PETER CLARKE – TRANMERE ROVERS
The rugged opposition presented to Carlisle by Tranmere at Prenton Park in November was summed up by the oldest head on the pitch.
Keith Hill’s team fended United off in different ways but at the point when the Blues were trying to turn things around from 1-0 down, they found chances in the penalty box scarce.
Clarke, the centre-half on his 10th different club, was a key reason for this, making blocks, marshalling Rovers’ back line and making it extremely hard for Carlisle’s attackers to gain anything more than a marginal sight of goal.
Although 39 now, he remains a well-established and vastly experienced performer at this level.
COREY BLACKETT-TAYLOR – TRANMERE ROVERS
The Tranmere game was a tight, well-contested affair between two good teams, meaning that moments of real, elusive quality were rare.
It was Blackett-Taylor who provided the game’s one cutting moment. The former Aston Villa and Walsall player had produced a dangerous, pacy spell on the left in the build-up to his 51st-minute goal.
When that moment then came, it was taken stylishly, the 23-year-old controlling a diagonal ball, cutting inside and finding the corner of the net with conviction.
A surprise, with that in mind, that he’s only scored one more since.
NICKY CADDEN – FOREST GREEN ROVERS
Mark Cooper’s team have proved as good as any side United have faced in 2020/21 so far, enjoying back-to-back wins against the Cumbrians.
The first encounter was a rainswept battle at the innocent New Lawn in which Jamille Matt was the goalscoring difference.
Cadden looked dangerous in spells then, and shone when Cooper’s team won 2-1 at Brunton Park earlier this month.
The Scot showed a positive touch and intent on the left, earned the penalty that enabled them to open the scoring, and looks to have proved a quality addition to a side equipped to maintain a serious challenge.
AARON COLLINS – FOREST GREEN ROVERS
Collins has been key to Forest Green’s attacking play for a couple of seasons now and while he may not yet be a prolific forward, it is clear why Mark Cooper puts faith in the Welshman.
The 23-year-old’s intelligent running and use of space in attacking areas is clear and he helped the visitors get the better of a jaded United at Brunton Park.
Collins was involved in Forest Green’s better work in a goalless first half before being involved in the move which resulted in a second-half penalty, which he mercilessly dispatched past Paul Farman.
Collins then played an astute role in the move which led to Odin Bailey’s free-kick winner, in a bright display which exposed the fact United were not yet back to full tilt after their enforced Covid lay-off.
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