Senior: I didn't see first Carlisle United goal - but it felt amazing

The wing-back had spent months imagining the moment when he would break his duck at Football League level.

But when it finally came in last weekend’s 5-2 win at Crawley Town, Senior did not initially realise he had scored.

Speaking about the diving header that opened the scoring at Crawley, he said: “It was a weird one – I didn’t know it went in.

“There’s a picture of me that shows that, as I’ve headed the ball, I’m on the floor, and I didn’t know where it had gone, or hear the fans.

“As I got up, I turned round and Alfie [McCalmont] is there with his arms in the air…’Oh, I must have scored…’

“It’s an amazing feeling.”

Senior hopes his next Carlisle strike proves more visible. “It’s funny – my dad actually texted me the night before and said, ‘When you head the ball, keep your eyes open’.

Senior says he did not initially realise he had scored (Image: Richard Parkes)

“On Saturday, I didn’t, because I didn’t know where it went…”

Senior, once he realised what had happened, experienced a feeling as rewarding as any as he has experienced in his career to date.

⚽🔵💙 A first goal for the club and a first at this level for @JoelSenior_ - with a heck of an assist from @JonMellish1 ... a cracking goal from all concerned #cufc pic.twitter.com/qvyl2UPXgC

— Carlisle United FC (@officialcufc) February 26, 2023

The 23-year-old freely admitted that his celebrations were a case of months of pent-up emotions pouring out of him.

It has been a long road back for Senior, whose early spell at Carlisle was interrupted by a cruciate knee ligament injury last February.

He returned to action this winter and, after steaming onto Jon Mellish’s cross at Crawley and then showing his delight to Carlisle’s 504 travelling fans, said: “It was the best feeling I’ve had since I’ve had at the club and for a long time in football.

“After the year I’ve had…it was amazing to get it off my chest. It felt like a relief of everything that I’ve gone through in the past year…that was all the passion and desire let out of me after that goal, during the celebration.”

Senior’s goal sent United on their way to a 5-2 victory in front of impressive travelling support, considering the journey. It was a 696-mile round trip to Sussex yet the Blue Army were there in their numbers to greet Senior’s landmark moment.

Senior said all the emotions of his injury-hit year came out as he celebrated Carlisle's opener at Crawley (Image: Richard Parkes)

“The feeling’s even better than you imagined it – in front of the Carlisle fans at an away game when they’ve all travelled that far,” he said.

“To put a smile on their faces, and be so happy to do it for myself and the team…it felt amazing and I was so happy that I did it. When I scored the goal I went behind the net to celebrate with them, and show how happy I was to score.

“To see them celebrate…it was the best feeling I could have asked for. If it was down the other end it wouldn’t have been the same.”

Senior said his determination to score his first goal was strong as he saw Mellish turn past his man on the left and shape to cross.

“I’ve been told that, where I’m playing, I need to get in the box more,” he said. “As Mells was shaping up to cross it, there was a bit of space and I was the only one in the box. I just thought I’d throw myself at it, and a bit of desire gets you there.”

Senior is an attack-minded player and feels he has some lost time to make up for, both in light of the injury and also in terms of goals.

READ MORE: The cult Carlisle United song relaunched in aid of foodbank

“I’ve not scored enough goals with my ability throughout my career,” he said. “I’ve not played many games for Carlisle because of my injury but I want to add more.

“Since I’ve been back playing I’ve not offered anywhere near the amount of effect I can have on the game in the final third.

“I feel that’s my best attribute, getting forward, getting assists – maybe not goals but assists and affecting the play in the final third. It’s definitely something I want to add – and getting goals would be a massive help for this team, which is what we all want.”

Last Saturday was Senior’s seventh since his comeback, Simpson restoring him to the side in place of the injured Jack Ellis.

Senior, centre, feels the best is yet to come from him after seven games back (Image: Richard Parkes)

“Each game that comes I feel I’m getting stronger, I’m getting fitter,” said the man who joined Carlisle from Altrincham in January last year. “I don’t feel like I’m as fit as I can be, and I don’t feel I’ve shown what I can do for Carlisle yet in terms of my whole game.

“I feel I’m getting there. Each game as it comes, it’s getting closer. So you’ll only see better of me as the games keep on coming.”

Simpson has managed Senior’s return carefully, putting him in the side then taking him out of the squad for short spells. The former Burnley player believes this approach has been the right one.

“The gaffer knows the game, he’s a great manager…he’ll know that he’s got to protect me in some ways when he needs to, and pull me out, and when he feels he can put me back in, to do that,” he said.

“It’s not an easy injury to come back from, to play straight away every game, especially when you’ve got Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday. I feel he’s worked it really well and he’s helped me for it.

“When I’m coming back in I’m fresh, rather than going into games feeling stiff, as it takes me a little bit longer now to recover. I’m really pleased how he’s done it.”

Senior signed for Carlisle under Keith Millen but only got to play five times for the former manager. His rehabilitation came almost entirely under Simpson’s eye, likewise the need to impress the boss anew once fit.

Senior made his comeback this winter after a cruciate injury he suffered last February (Image: Richard Parkes)

“He’s been amazing for me, says the wing-back. “When he came in as the new gaffer, I was injured and he was great throughout all my rehab.

“If he felt I needed a few days off he was really good to me. We’d have chats about how it was going…it was a massive part of my rehab just having conversations with the manager.

“Then when I finally got back out on the training pitch he spoke to me, told me what he wants from me in the team. We’ve had good conversations and I do really enjoy working for him, as all the players do.

“It’s been a good start for me since coming back, and everyone’s enjoying it.”