United came in to their second League One home game of the season looking to bounce back from a cruel defeat at the hands of Yeovil last weekend.
Neil McDonald stuck with the starting line up that has been his preferred option so far this season in the hope that the decent football they have been playing would develop yet further.
A very open start to the game saw little in the way of clear cut chances, with Carlisle passing the ball confidently and Orient looking to break quickly, bit neither keeper was deeply troubled as defences remained on top.
Paul Murray had a 20 yard shot that was easy for Garner on 13 minutes, and Bridges forced a corner with a curling effort 4 minutes later after Lumsdon had played him through, and Carlisle started to look the more likely to make the break through as they settled in to the pace of the game.
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Gall celebrates his first |
The Cumbrians were looking good, and they got their reward in the 24th minute when Bridges and Hawley combined to release the lively Kevin Gall. The striker took the pass over the top in to his stride beautifully, checking to see what Garner was doing, before placing it perfectly in to the bottom left hand corner to give his side the lead and to notch his second of the season.
Captain Kev Gray had to leave the field just after the goal, having failed to shake off a knock, and Paul Arnison came on as right back with Raven moving across to fill the gap.
A deep free kick from Lumsdon in the 28th minute found Peter Murphy making trouble at the back post, and his downward header could only be blocked by the sprawling Glyn Garner. Hawley was there for the rebound but he couldn't control it, and had to watch in anguish as it bounced harmlessly behind the goal.
Orient came in to it a bit more after the half hour mark and Lee Steele spotted Alexander in space off to his right. He wasted no time in lining up a dig, and Westwood was wary as the ball swirled past his upright on its way to a goal kick.
Nice, slick football put Joe Keith in to a good position in the 37th minute as he timed his break to meet the pass from Steele. He connected well, driving a shot towards the bottom corner, but Westwood was well set and saved it easily.
Karl Hawley went for glory when he had options left and right on 39 minutes, and his 30 yarder was always angling away from the top corner he had set out to hit. Lockwood carved a way down the left as half time approached and it took some swift footwork from Murphy to clear his lines as attackers lurked.
Hawley put another drive right at Garner, as did Lumsdon, and it was still the home side creating the far better chances as time ran out on the first 45 minutes in what had been another great game to watch.
Half Time: United 1 - 0 Orient
Carlisle came out of the second half blocks snapping at the heels of Orient, determined not to allow them to get a foothold, and Michael Bridges would be first to register a shot on target with a long range effort that was gathered on the bounce by Garner.
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Hawley uses his strength to get his shot away |
There would be no mistake in the next attack, though, when Gall skipped through a series of challenges to cause panic at the back for the O's. He was being watched very closely, so a cheeky back heel invited Karl Hawley to rifle a shot beyond the desperate Glyn Garner, opening his account for the season.
Hawley nearly doubled his account immediately when he got on to a zipped cross in to the box, flicking it over the defenders heads and diverting it towards the net. He was ready to celebrate but he'd put just too much on the ball and had sent it wide of the mark.
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Keeper beaten, Kevin gets his brace |
The forecast heavy rain finally made an appearance for the middle period of the second half but it didn't make any difference to a Carlisle United side who were looking deadly going forward. Paul Murray won a strong challenge in midfield on 59 minutes that Bridges was able to control, picking a slide rule pass for Kevin Gall to race on to. With just Garner to beat the pacey forward bided his time, picking his spot once more to make it 3-0 and to almost guarantee a fantastic win for an impressive United side.
He could have made things even better for himself and for United less than 60 seconds later when Hawley was downed in the box and the Referee pointed straight at the spot. Gall hit the penalty strongly, forcing a great save from Garner who tipped the ball behind for a corner via the woodwork.
Martin Ling went for a triple substitution to try to spice things up and it had the desired effect when Corden found space in the 68th minute. He curled his foot around a wicked cross and Lee Steele was able to put his head to it and guide it beyond Westwood to make it 3-1.
Michael Bridges tried to restore the 3 goal cushion when he spun and shot from 10 yards after some excellent work by Gall on the wing, but he couldn't keep it down and it rose quickly to fly an inch too high over the bar.
Jabo Ibehre had a gilt edged opportunity to close the gap in the 71st minute when Corden found the bye line once again, but he somehow got himself in a knot and completely missed what looked to be a sitter. The same player would do the same thing on 75 minutes, this time putting a header over the bar as the United defence hesitated.
It had been a nervy spell for the Cumbrians and there was relief all round as they crafted an attack of their own in the 77th minute. Paul Murray ran free from midifeld, finding Hawley, and it took a block from Fortune to prevent more work for Garner.
There was definitely more purpose to the Orient play following their trio of changes and Donny Barnard was next to test Westwood, blasting a volley at the keeper that had to be dealt with strongly. Holmes had been brought on to replace the impressive Bridges, as McDonald looked for a way to relieve the mounting pressure, but Carlisle looked happy to try and hold their lead rather than build on it.
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Neale McDermott slots into the game |
Having said that, they turned the O's defence again in the 84th minute as they surged forward with plenty of options. The ball eventually came to Neale McDermott who clipped a back post pass towards the run of Paul Murray. He controlled it first time but dragged his shot wide of the target.
The brief flurry enjoyed by the visitors was all but stifled as the Cumbrians saw the game out in relative comfort, hustling and harrying and making sure that they wouldn't get through. It had been a very professional display for Carlisle who received a loud and prolonged round of applause for what had been an excellent display.
Glyn Garner had one more save to make as Gall pushed forward once more, finding Holmes at the near post. His connection was good and the keeper had to get down to force the corner.
This was the best display of what has been a series of very good footballing turn outs by Carlisle United this season, as they defended doggedly and attacked with aplomb. The one touch and possession play is a joy to watch and leaves the opposition with little chance to work out their own defensive ploy, so the signs are that this could be another good season for the team. There's still work to do, as there always is, but performances like this will be sending warning signals around the Division as we continue to go from strength to strength.
Bookings
Orient - Easton (27), Alexander (37)
Goals
United - Gall (24), (59), Hawley (49)
Orient - Steele (68)
Teams
United - Westwood, Raven, Gray (Arnison 26), Murphy, Aranalde, Billy, P Murray, Lumsdon (McDermott 69), Hawley, Bridges (Holmes 79), Gall. Not Used - Williams, Hackney.
Orient - Garner, Lockwood, Simpson, Fortune, Mackie, Tudor, Easton, Alexander (Ibehre 65), Steele, Keith (Corden 65), Tann (Barnard 65). Not Used - Morris, Connor.
Travelling fans - tbc
