It was a tough night for FC Halifax Town at league leaders Carlisle United. An early Junior Luamba strike set the tone for the match, with the hosts controlling large parts of proceedings. Despite a fast start to the second period, Halifax found themselves two down with twenty minutes to go; this proved to be too hard of a task for the Shaymen.
Town manager Adam Lakeland named an unchanged lineup following their battling FA Cup performance against Exeter City last Saturday.
An early setback for Carlisle saw defender Terrell Thomas forced to leave the field on a stretcher. The incident, however, did little to disrupt the home side’s rhythm, as less than five minutes later they took the lead. Regan Linney threaded a precise pass through to Junior Luamba, who finished calmly with a low strike that beat Sam Johnson at his near post.
It was a quiet half of football with little action; however, Linney looked bright throughout. His curling effort narrowly evaded Johnson’s post as Carlisle looked to double their lead.
The first booking of the game fell to Jamie Cooke, who was cautioned for simulation. Will Harris flicked the ball on for Cooke to race through on; he then went down after several Carlisle bodies surrounded him, however, the referee deemed it a dive.
The nine added minutes at the end of the first period symbolised the stop-start nature of the first half.
Halifax initially came out in the second half looking like a side with renewed energy and optimism. Bray was the first to test Gabriel Breeze, as his long-range curling effort was no trouble for the keeper.
Thierry Latty-Fairweather was the first man to be withdrawn from the tie through injury; Owen Devonport was his replacement.
With just over twenty minutes left on the clock, the home side doubled their advantage and stormed to the top of the league. A whipped corner found Morgan Feeney at the near post, who flicked it on into the path of Luamba for his second of the night.
Town reacted immediately with a triple change. AJ Warburton replaced Josh Hmami, whilst both Cody Johnson and Dylan Crowe entered the fray after a period out through injury. Bray and Cooke were the other two to be withdrawn.
Just five minutes after Carlisle’s second, Johnson was forced into an unbelievable stop to deny Georgie Kelly, once again from a corner. Stephen Wearne was the next to go close for the Cumbrians, his shot stinging the palms of Johnson.
Town’s final change of the night saw Jack Jenkins take the place of Jay Turner-Cooke.
As the game crept into the 90th minute, Luamba went close to netting his third and subsequent hat-trick. His run started just over the halfway line before he jinked in and out, evading the challenges of Town defenders. His effort was well blocked by Johnson in the end.
Angelo Cappello had a chance in the seven additional minutes following brilliant battling work on the halfway line by Shaun Hobson; his effort was high and wide, though. Harris then had an effort, but it fell comfortably into the palms of Breeze.
Match Stats
Carlisle United
1 Gabriel Breeze, 2 Archie Davies, 3 Cameron Harper, 5 Morgan Feeney ©, 4 Terell Thomas (18 Jack Ellis 10) 9 Georgie Kelly, 10 Regan Linney (29 Luke Armstrong 87), 11 Junior Luamba, 20 Alex Gilliead, 37 Harvey Macadam, 38 Chris Conn-Clarke (16 Stephen Wearne 71)
Subs: 25 Harry Lewis, 8 Callum Whelan, 22 Josh Williams, 24 Josh Grant
FC Halifax Town
1 Sam Johnson ©, 36 Thierry Latty-Fairweather (31 Owen Devonport), 16 Jevon Mills, 5 Shaun Hobson, 11 Angelo Cappello, 4 Will Hugill, 27 Jay Turner-Cooke (20 Jack Jenkins 84), 8 Josh Hmami (19 AJ Warburton 72), 10 Jamie Cooke (23 Dylan Crowe 72), 17 Owen Bray (30 Cody Johnson 73), 9 Will Harris
Subs: 12 Nat Ford, 3 Adam Adetoro
Referee: Gareth Thomas
Goals: Luamba 15, 68
Yellow Cards: Cooke 42, Wearne 90
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 5897 (109 away)
Carlisle United 2 FC Halifax Town 0
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