Carlisle Women’s first team ventured to yonder cauldron of Manchester University to go eyeball to eyeball with experienced Didsbury Northern. The Cumbrians were suffering from a number of freaky accidents in the run up to the match which meant they had to nurse some players through the allotted time. Carlisle were determined not be haunted by their difficulties.
The Cumbrians started well and gave their more illustrious opponents a fright when Myesha Pearson attacked their defence like a bat out of hell and earned an early short corner. The resulting shot failed to trouble the home keeper.
Didsbury realizing that Carlisle had the ability to cause them mischief sharpened up their game and cast a web across the pitch and began to exert some pressure on their vistors. This period of dominance concluded with an opening goal from close range following a long corner.
The Cumbrians tried to break the Didsbury spell with the introduction of Katie W-S and Olivia Palmer and produce some magic of their own. Soon after Katie, already carrying an injury, was unceremonially upended by one of her opponents, but played on.
With halftime looming the Northern were awarded a contentious short corner and scored their second goal.
Half time. Double, double toil and trouble for Carlisle!
An incantation from skipper Alice. “We can do this! “Not troubled but more toil.
As the second half started the omens were good. Neat interpassing from Holly Milbourn and Katie (still upright!) seemed to be producing the right formula for a comeback potion .They pinned the Mancunians back.
But midway through this second period Carlisle wavered and Didsbury capitalized .They sprung forward and added a third goal in a rather peculiar fashion. A rather innocuous reverse stick shot cum pass from the top of the circle was jumped over by a home forward and the ball crept just inside the upright.
The Cumbrians worked hard to regain the initiative with Jenny Wright, in particular, giving the Northern rearguard a few jittery moments, but it became clear that the runes were not in Carlisle’s (and in particular jinxed Katie’s)favour. Katie was finally substituted with five minutes to go after being clattered again.
The Lord of Misrule had triumphed .Carlisle had given all and showed great spirit and live, (only just for some!).to fight again.

Congratulations to our player of the match Nic Heeley