The Hatters’ claimed a vital three points, completing the league double over title challenging Carlisle courtesy of an Ashton Mee double.
County started the match at Carrington on the front foot and were ahead within 2 minutes. Striker Fabio Kibonda broke past the lacklustre Carlisle defence and easily squared the ball to Mee; his effort smashed off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net.
With 22 minutes on the clock Trialist scored a goal of the season contender. Coming in off the left flank, Trialist nicked the ball off the Carlisle centre-back before using the outside of his boot to curl an effort into the top right corner.
The away side came close to halving the deficit shortly afterwards. Carlisle found space on the right-hand side of the box, with a drilled cross finding the feet of the Blues midfielder, but a lack of composure saw his volley fly wide of the target.
County continued to pile on the pressure and almost had the game wrapped up before the interval. Kibonda mirrors his run from the first goal down the right wing but decided to have a shot instead of setting up Mee for a tap in, which is comfortably saved at the near post.
HALF-TIME: County 2 – 0 Carlisle
Carlisle came out for the second half reformed, getting themselves back into the tie thanks to a goalkeeping error. County keeper, Daniel Harrison, fumbled a cross and presents an opportunity to the onrushing attacker, who proceeded to fire the ball into an empty net.
Kibonda was a constant threat to the Carlisle back line, earning his side the match winning penalty after his weaving run forced the retreating defender to hack him down. Mee stepped up and the midfielder capped off his performance, sending the Carlisle goalkeeper the wrong way.
The momentum suddenly tipped in favour of Carlisle as County captain Jack Atkinson prodded the ball past Harrison and into his own net, piling even more pressure on the Hatters to see the game out.
The comeback was nearly complete for the Blues when they were awarded a penalty soon after. However, Harrison came out on top with a strong save to deny the Carlisle forward, keeping his side’s slim lead.
In the dying embers of the match, Carlisle had a penalty appeal after County substitute Joe Osifo looked to have handled the ball inside the box. The referee didn’t see it that way and play continued much to the dismay of the visitors.
FULL-TIME: County 3 Carlisle United 2
County Line-up: Harrison; Partington, Jones, McMahon (Martinson, 71); Bradbury-Allen, Trialist (Osifo, 55), Atkinson (capt.), Fligg, Mee; Kibonda (Fowles, 88), Depiazza.
Reporter: Elliot Richardson
Images: Mike Petch
