Thanks to Tony Little, of the London Branch, for this account of the trip to Orient.

To see what the London Branch could mean to you, click HERE.

The day started as it normally does, waking up and trying to engage brain.

Setting off from Horley by train en-route to London Bridge, and underground to Stratford and to Leyton.

Eventually meeting up with the CUFCLB supporters club at the Birkbeck Tavern where we were joined by Fred (Tellusa) Story who allowed us a question and answer session on his thoughts and plans for Carlisle for next year and beyond.

We left for the ground at 2.40 nothing like last minute (as usual), taking our seats just as the teams were running out onto the pitch.

When the game kicked off we were greeted by Orient in Red and this bunch of imposters reportedly Carlisle United - not sure where they came from but they looked remarkably like the lot that played at Swindon except that this time they controlled the game from start to finish. Chris Lumsdon was a revelation in midfield and with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson totally controlled the game.

Carlisle attacked with purpose from the start and it was no surprise that Danny Graham nipped in at the near post with a header from Chris Lumsdon's cross to put Carlisle ahead. Needless to say it was just what the Carlisle fans needed on a cold day in London.

Normally following scoring you expect Carlisle to spend he next 10 minutes defending as the opposition pile on the pressure looking for an equaliser (as per Swindon), not this time. Carlisle kept surging forward in search of a second goal, which duly came at around the half hour mark, a left wing cross which broke to Raven, who firmly slotted it into the Orient net.

This then marked huge celebrations, a two goal lead away from home not what we were used to.

This was followed up by the JJ Melligan show! (Of his studs that is), with what could only be described as a stupid challenge on Evan Horwood, who thankfully was uninjured, at this point the referee joined in the performance by showing the Red card.

2 up against 10 men and ten minutes to half time.

Thus followed the only period of pressure for Orient and Carlisle safely made it to half time.

As the players left the pitch I checked out Westwood who had remained unemployed throughout the first half - no chance of being man of the match for a change.

The second half started with Carlisle in total control and after wasting a couple of opportunities scored a third with a good move down the left, an infield pass to Grant Smith who duly found the bottom corner of the net with a neat finish from 20 yards.

At this point it was game over. The sun beaming down on the Carlisle fans and a relaxed atmosphere. John Ward had the luxury of saving players for Monday's big game against Northampton which was sure to be a sterner test than this.

Carlisle continued piling on the pressure, Simon Hackney had one of those days where he could have had a hat trick as chances came and went to extend the lead.

This was interspersed by a save by Westwood, which I think was his first of the game, after 70 minutes.

Eventually the Referee blew the final whistle on what was a comfortable day out in the Orient. A job well done and the team got it's usual rousing reception from an appreciative crowd.

Carlisle left the field and we left the ground to contemplate the prospect of Championship football next season which, on this performance, is a definite possibility with 6 of the remaining 9 games at home - albeit some tough opposition.

Let's look forward to another rousing away performance at Gillingham next Saturday where the supporters club have a fixture of their own.

See you there.

Tony Little