The travelling United fans created a superb FA Cup atmosphere this afternoon and their team responded with an exciting performance that almost brought dividends at the Fitness First Dean Court Stadium. It would be quick, decisive breaks from the League One side, though, that would prove to be the difference in the end.
Cherries danger man James Hayter failed a late fitness test paving the way for a forward pairing of Derek Holmes and Alan Connell whilst Paul Arnison came in at left back for Carlisle following a troublesome stomach injury for Tom Cowan this week. Paul Simpson also put himself on the bench in case the 4-3-3 formation didn't work.
With two teams dedicated to playing football on the floor this one was always likely to be a good game to watch and it didn't disappoint as movement and quick thinking was put on display by all concerned.
Carlisle's first forward movement came in the 3rd minute when Andrews put a throw in on to Preece's head on the edge of the box. He guided it in to the path of Vieira who volleyed early, from 20 yards, sending it just wide of the left hand upright.
Bournemouth reacted immediately and Connell controlled the long clearance well from Moss, managing to feed Spicer, who sent a well hit effort goalwards but only slightly off line. The Cherries started to gain the upper hand and were spraying the ball about with confidence, using the wide men of O'Connor and Elliott to good effect.
United had to endure a 10 minute spell of pressure in which Holmes and Spicer caused problems from corners and Carlisle didn't get forward again until the 13th minute. Chris Lumsdon picked the ball up in midfield and went on a mazy run towards the 18 yard box. Hawley ran off him and clipped a cross towards the back post when he got it but it fell inches wide of the target with Moss rooted to the spot.
McGill went on a good run two minutes later but was tackled by Young as he headed down the wing. Vieira picked up the loose ball and was unlucky to see his 19 yard shot deflected for a corner. Paul Arnison waited 20 yards out as the Lumsdon cross came in and his positioning was almost rewarded as the clearance came to him but he screwed his shot over the bar.
A superb twist, turn and shot from Connell in the 16th minute deserved to open the scoring when Young ran past Shelley and clipped the ball onwards. The tall Cherries striker had done everything right but his bullet right footer rattled the base of the post and rebounded to safety.
Derek Holmes had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring himself in the 18th minute when the dangerous Wade Elliott curled a wonderful cross in to the area but he could only power his header straight at the very grateful Matt Glennon in the United goal.
Glennon had to earn his corn in the 21st minute when another good run from Elliott ended in yet another well hit cross in to the area. Andrews did well to take the ball from Connell but Spicer was following in and his 25 yard effort had the United shot stopper at full stretch as he dived to save it.
It was another good period for Bournemouth and O'Connor showed why he had been a target for Roddy Collins a couple of seasons ago when he cut inside in the 25th minute and swept a wicked shot past Glennon, but also past the goal.
United were defending well despite the Bournemouth persistence and the midfield trio started to make their mark as the early Cherries pressure started to subside. The Conference side demonstrated their own footballing capabilities to full effect, even bringing applause from the home fans, with a sweet passage of play in the 35th minute that resulted in Vieira having a back post header pushed wide for a corner. Billy, Hawley, Preece and Arnison all played a full part in turning defence in to attack with some slick passing and interplay.
The last action of a spell binding first half saw Paul Arnison time a superb last ditch tackle with precision as Spicer threatened to break through as he ran on to a massive kick from Moss. The United left back's action ensured that the scores would be all square at the break.
Half Time: Bournemouth 0 - 0 United
Carlisle came out looking hungry after the interval and had the home side on the back foot from the kick off, with Billy asserting himself across the middle. With less than a minute gone Vieira was testing Moss again as he aimed for the bottom corner with a low shot that the keeper did well to get his fingertips to.
With the visitors committed forward it was to be a lightning quick break that would finally unlock the goal bank. Broadhurst found Spicer with a precise long ball and he made for goal, beating Glennon with a fizzing drive. Andrews cleared the ball off the line but Holmes was on hand to rifle it home from close range.
It almost got worse for Carlisle in the 51st minute when Broadhurst found himself unmarked at a corner kick but he headed it badly and sent it well wide. United were still playing well but they were visibly stung by the early second half goal and Bournemouth were creating the better chances. Stock was starting to pull some strings and he opened up Carlisle with a great pass that left Connell with just Glennon to beat. He tried to place the ball underneath Glennon from 17 yards but failed to get any real power behind it and made it easy for the big keeper.
United came close on 62 minutes when Preece and Billy worked a good position for Vieira but his rising shot clattered in to the side netting as he sliced it at the crucial moment. It would be another incisive and decisive break in the 64th minute that would bring a two goal lead for the Cherries when Elliott dropped a deep cross on to the head of Holmes at the back post. He made it elementary for Connell to finish it off from close range as the pacy striker ran on to the knock down and secured the two goal cushion with ease.
Simpson made his first change when he brought Roca on for Vieira and he was left fuming when Hawley, who was flattened in the box, had a reasonable shout for a penalty waved away with disdain by the officials. Henderson came on for Preece as United went for broke but chances were becoming less and less frequent as Bournemouth shut up shop. Karl Hawley was unlucky in the 82nd minute when he took a Billy pass well but Moss managed to reach the low rasper and palm it wide for a corner.
Simpson used his final substitution in the 83rd minute when he switched McGill for Farrell and it caused confusion in the Bournemouth box when Grand found himself left alone at a corner. Unfortunately his header could only be guided over the bar.
Farrell and Henderson combined with just 2 minutes on the clock but Moss produced some stirling work by running
quickly off his line to smother the ball as the United sub raced forward. Carlisle got the goal their enterprising work had deserved in the 89th minute when Arnison produced a slide rule pass for Craig Farrell, who had held his onside position inside the Cherries area. He kept his head, set himself and curled his right foot shot expertly past the despairing dive of the keeper to inject a very late dose of hope in to the game for the visitors.
Bournemouth did well following the goal and stifled play, running the clock down, and both Shelley and Grand found themselves with yellow cards as their frustration grew. An unnecessary fracas at the final whistle, caused by unwarranted comments from the eventual victors, left a sour taste in the mouth after what had been a very good game of football.
Carlisle may well have gone out of the FA Cup but they came away from this with their heads held high. They matched the team who are 44 places above them pass for pass and chance for chance. Yet again they demonstrated that they could easily hold their own against this kind of opposition week in, week out. Now it's back to the Conference on Tuesday as we continue to bid to make sure that it becomes the case that we're doing just that as soon as possible.
Goals
Bournemouth - Holmes (48), Connell (64)
United - Farrell (89)
Bookings
United - Shelley (90) Grand (90)
Teams
Bournemouth - Moss, Young, Connell (Rodrigues 82), Broadhurst, Howe (Cummings 69), Elliott, Stock, Spicer, O'Connor, Maher, Holmes (Browning 77). Subs Not Used - Stewart, Fletcher.
United - Glennon, Shelley, Grand, Andrews, Arnison, McGill (Farrell 83), Lumsdon, Billy, Preece (Henderson 75), Hawley, Vieira (Roca 67). Subs Not Used - Westwood, Simpson.
Referee - C Penton
