On a melancholy morning the promised profusion of sunlight had demurred from illuminating the sinister castle on the hill as the venue prepared to become the House of Wacks.Doors creaked open black cats and ravens hovered in anticipation of ghastly goings on when Carlisle Women’s first team matched up to their blood red foes of Formby.
The recent full moon had unleashed unearthly portents to pervade the atmosphere: an omen which to the sober eye of reason the home team’s world assume the semblance of Hell.
And so as if they were justly cursed Carlisle were 3-0 down after only ten minutes. Hardly time to draw breath as the crimson tide of Formby surged forward to devour the luckless Cumbrians who struggled to find a way out of the maze created by their opponents.
But Carlisle would not wither and little by little they drew the venom from the possessed Lancastrians, lifted the fog of despair, gained traction in the game and created opportunities.
When they thought the pendulum was swinging back in their favour the Cumbrians conceded a fourth goal on the cusp of half time.
This did not deter Carlisle who charged forward in search of a goal and perhaps a scintilla of redemption. Their efforts bore fruit with the award of a penalty .A road back? Don’t look now! The spectre of the day coughed once more as the visitors’ keeper saved the resultant penalty stroke with a degree of distain.
At the death the home team were well and truly buried by three late goals from Formby. Carlisle had fought hard and never gave up .They were mauled but spirits were intact. With heads unbowed they sought a quiet place for reflection and a resurrection of fortunes.

Congratulations to our player of the match Evie Rooke