| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running 11:06 - Aug 9 with 674 views | durham_exile |
The U’s kicked off their season at Brunton Park on Saturday afternoon and picked up a deserved point in a closely fought contest.
The day started in Durham with sunshine and showers and so it continued throughout the day. The A66 and M6 were both relatively clear and I arrived in good time which was just as well because I had to wait 45 minutes for my food to arrive at the Brewers Fayre just opposite the ground. The food was however worth the wait.
I arrived at the ground at about 2.20pm and headed for the normal Car Park to the right of the stadium. A steward approached and said “sorry, but I can’t let any more cars in”. By which time I was surrounded by milling Carlisle fans queuing to get into the stadium. Having reversed out I sought refuge in the Riverside Car Park about 400 yards from the ground. I was second in the queue when everything stopped. The attendant returned to the road to put out the Car Park Full sign and the cars behind me had to reverse back to the entrance. Upon his return I was directed to the flats on the left-hand side and half a dozen of us were allowed to park in the disabled car park spaces. By the time I left the car grabbed my bag and walked back to the ground it was about 2.40pm.
The queues for the home supporters were now far greater and I walked through towards the Away entrance which is at the far end of the Warwick Road end. I purchased a programme and entered the stadium to hear the faithful in full voice. It was 2.45pm and the ground was filling up well. At 2.50pm the announcer stated that the match was to be delayed by 15 minutes to allow the supporters time to enter the ground. This was a very sensible decision.
A steward told me that Carlisle had sold 5,000 tickets but there were about 1500 supporters who had turned up on spec hence the delays in admission. In the end the attendance was 6,382 of which 202 were from Colchester. I include this preamble simply to ensure that despite meticulous planning you can always expect the unexpected (a bit like no one expects the Spanish inquisition).
We had a minute’s applause to remember those from Carlisle who had passed away during the lock down as a result of COVID, the names were shown on the big screen and the applause was impeccably observed.
The stuffed fox did not make it out onto the pitch pre match. A COVID measure, I am sure.
The pitch was immaculate (ok first game of the season) but it really was. Watering before the game and at half time gave the surface a sheen and caused the ball to zip along the surface. The rain arrived at intervals during the game but was interspersed with sunny intervals.
The U’s had just signed Jake Turner on loan from Newcastle as Goalkeeper cover (especially as Gerken has picked up a knock). However, IMHO Shamal George is Number One.
HM had lined up his charges as follows:
George
Eastman Chambers Smith (Capt)
Coxe Wiredu Skuse Judge Clampin
Sears Nouble
Subs:
Welch-Hayes Chilvers Kennedy Tchamadeu Turner Tovide Jasper
Now in my pre match review I mentioned my dislike of the 5,3,2 formation and although we may dress it up as 3,5,2 it really was 5,3,2. Chambers and Smith act as the twin Centre halves whilst Tom Eastman becomes Right Back and on occasions Right Half.
HM needs to look at this carefully. On Saturday we started slowly and for the first 20 minutes allowed Carlisle to play in our half. It seemed almost as if we were content to sit back and absorb pressure. Against a better team we would have been punished. As it turned out we actually fashioned the best chance in the first 20 minutes, but Big Frank missed the ball and it hit his standing foot when a clean connection would have beaten Norman in the Cumbrians goal.
I thought that Cole Skuse was our most impressive player in the first half. He worked tirelessly and made some telling interceptions. Shamal George was comfortable in possession and during the game made three really good stops. A close-range header in the first half was perhaps the most impressive in the first 45 minutes.
Cameron Coxe struck a long-range effort which went narrowly wide. Just on half time Alan Judge struck a half volley which Norman palmed away.
The faithful were in good voice, however I was disappointed to hear much of the ribald language directed towards a Carlisle supporter which became boorish in the first half.
So, half time and the pitch was again liberally watered during the interval. The faithful largely departed for liquid refreshments and in fairness their chanting second half was predominantly football related and they really got behind the team.
No Colchester subs were made but we came out in a far more attacking style. Now attacking the Warwick Road end and almost immediately we forced a succession of corners. As the game opened up there were several periods of play where it was more end to end.
Dickenson burst through and was well marshalled by a combination of George and Skuse but on second viewing he appeared to run out of steam and fell over.
George made a smart double save from the wasteful Mellish and new signing Abraham.
Cole Skuse kept an attack alive in the second half by sprinting to the side-line to keep the ball in play and then playing a positive ball into the box.
Now it was clear that Freddie Sears was running out of steam and so on 81 minutes the loanee Sylvester Jasper was introduced. He has pace and looks tricky. Almost immediately he received the ball on the half way line and the ball was snuffed out otherwise he would have been away. He should start on Tuesday against Birmingham.
Carlisle also introduced another striker in Manasse Mampala who looked rapid but lacked control.
The U’s saw out the game and the additional four minutes of added time and claimed their first point of the season. The players were appreciative of the support from the faithful and it was good to see HM come over to the fans at the end of the game. Shamal George and Big Frank also came over and Big Frank gave his shirt to a supporter whilst George spoke to family members. Everyone was happy with the point.
Player ratings:
George: Good handling and kicking looked confident from the get-go and mad three good saves.
Coxe: Gave an assured performance and got forward on a regular basis.
Clampin: Carried on where he left off last season. Good left foot and keen to get forward when possible.
Eastman: Don’t get me wrong I like Tom Eastman and he has been a loyal servant, but it is the three centre halves that bothers me. We tended to play more 5 at the back than 3 on Saturday and when invariably you are up against no more than one or two strikers, it is unnecessarily defensive.
Chambers and Smith: Looked as though they had played together for years. Both very accomplished.
Wiredu: Excellent hard working and positive.
Skuse: Thought he had a good game throughout. Great pace and skill.
Judge: Dead ball delivery could have been better but thought he played positively and was unlucky with his shot just on half time.
Sears: Still a firm favourite with the faithful. He worked hard and was clear on two occasions in the second half. On both occasion she needed support which was slow in coming forward.
Nouble: Big Frank worked really hard throughout. Could have scored in the first half but missed his kick.
Jasper: A nine-minute cameo but looked pacy, skilful and keen. Play him from the start at Birmingham.
HM: A decent start and should have introduced Tovide and Jasper with about 15 minutes to play. Apart from that he will be pleased with the start.
They always say a point away from home and three points at home is good enough for promotion. With the 5,3,2 the pressure will be on if we concede an early goal. Would we change the formation, could we change the formation? This will be something to be debated this season.
I reckon a 7/10 at the weekend overall.
Bring on the Cobblers!
Up the U’s
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| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running on 17:14 - Aug 9 with 611 views | Witham |
Mrs Witham and I made up the 202. Looking forward to the next away games.
Good summary Durham |  | | |
| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running on 18:11 - Aug 9 with 597 views | durham_exile |
| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running on 17:14 - Aug 9 by Witham |
Mrs Witham and I made up the 202. Looking forward to the next away games.
Good summary Durham |
Very pleased you both enjoyed the game and the weekend.
A couple of Friday night aways coming up.
Up the U's | |
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| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running on 21:22 - Aug 9 with 570 views | ghughes11 |
Great review as always Durham - thank you.
I reckon HM will play same team again on Tuesday. Look to keep it tight and sneak a 1-0. Unfortunately, I believe it will be 2-0 Birmingham as they will counter us late in the game as we look for an equaliser!
What a day back in '06 with that Garcia equaliser to send the Faithfull into raptures! Who would have known what was to come after that!
Up the U's  | |
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| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running on 21:26 - Aug 9 with 568 views | wessex_exile |
Cracking write-up as ever Durham, many thanks! Glad you, Mr and Mrs Witham and anyone else on here saw a reasonably positive return for your travels. On the commentary, the U's faithful certainly made themselves heard on many occasions, so well done all for that! |  |
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| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running on 21:35 - Aug 9 with 567 views | durham_exile |
| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running on 21:26 - Aug 9 by wessex_exile |
Cracking write-up as ever Durham, many thanks! Glad you, Mr and Mrs Witham and anyone else on here saw a reasonably positive return for your travels. On the commentary, the U's faithful certainly made themselves heard on many occasions, so well done all for that! |
Wessex the faithful were certainly vocal.
Carlisle is one of my shortest journeys but fair play to 200 who made the long trek.
Up the U's | |
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| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running on 23:08 - Aug 9 with 555 views | durham_exile |
| Deserved point at Brunton Park gets the season up and running on 21:22 - Aug 9 by ghughes11 |
Great review as always Durham - thank you.
I reckon HM will play same team again on Tuesday. Look to keep it tight and sneak a 1-0. Unfortunately, I believe it will be 2-0 Birmingham as they will counter us late in the game as we look for an equaliser!
What a day back in '06 with that Garcia equaliser to send the Faithfull into raptures! Who would have known what was to come after that!
Up the U's |
ghughes - totally agree an incredible game at St Andrews.
I was there and it was amazing.
Just looked up the attendance 24,238 superb.
Perhaps we might spring a suprise tomorrow night!
Up the U's | |
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