May 3 Carlisle United 1-1 AFC Bournemouth Att: 12223

Last updated : 12 May 2008 By Steve Hunt

It came down to last game of the season, we had to win to have a real chance of staying up if other results went in our favour.

Well my trip started on Friday, after a hard time at work, which was made harder finding out the night before that no tickets were being sold on the day, so that ment an extra trip down to Dean Court.

I managed to arrive in Birmingham by about 8pm, as I was up at 3pm the day before and working a night shift that did not finish til 3.30pm on the Friday, I was feeling a little tired, but after a few beers and a meal I sleeped well.

We caught the train up following morning to Carlisle, after a few more beers and someone elses lunch as well as my own (long story ask me when you see me). We walked across to the ground, where the stewards had fun looking through our over night bags, we went in to the packed away end 1500 away I think was there.

I new it would be one of those games where rumours would go around about that would be false.

Opening minutes started with a few half chances to both teams, on 2 mins Anderton wasted a good chance with a free kick out on the left.

Next 12 mins went by with half chances coming to nothing at both ends, on 17 Gradel shot wide from 25 yards. A minute later Hollands 20 yards shot was blocked. Next few minutes was end to end but no real chances.

27 mins another Gradel shot was blocked and Cummins crossed for Hollands to head wide from 6 yards out.

Vokes had a chance moments later but miss hit his shot and it was easily cleared.

29 mins Hackney shot saved by Forde, Hollands had an over head efford go wide.

More half chances came and went at both ends.

On 42 mins first yellow card for Lumsdon for foul on Gradel, free kick was again wasted by Anderton.Moments later Gradel was fouled again by Lumsdon, free kick again was wasted by Anderton.

That's how first half finished 0-0, good entertaining half. But think we need to change thing as Anderton well off the pace.

The second half started same as first with end to end stuff but no end result.

50 mins Hollands 25 yarder blocked, Madine shot saved with ease by Forde.

53 mins Horwood cross headed over by Madine.

Then on 56 mins Smith cross cleared for a corner by Bradbury, Hackney near post corner was met by a poor Forde punch and from 6 yards out Dobie shot home at right hand side of the goal for 1-0.

Carlisle had the upper hand now, as they pressed for another.

On 60 mins Pittman replaced Anderton (he was poor).

63 mins Hackney shoot goes wide,minute later Pitman effort blocked.

65 mins sees Smith head over from a corner, Pitman again shots over.

Then on 68 mins Cooper is fouled Bradbury takes Vokes heads on, Pitman right footed from center of goal shoots yesssssssssss its in 1-1 can we do it.

Even more half chances were missed, we have a corner on 75 mins Pittman shoots wide from it.

79 mins Arnison booked for foul on Kuffour, free kick taken by Bradbury Pearces meets it on the volley but its over.

81 Dobie shoots wide, 84 Carlisle free kick saved by Forde. 85 Bartley on for Cummins wrong choose by Bond should have pushed more up front, we seemed to for some reason defend what we had as if they were told we were safe, it was now all Carlisle, 87 they shot wide.

Bartley half chance but easily saved on 89 mins, 90 another Carlisle shot over, Hollands booked near end for dissent, Bradbury booked for a foul.

Thats how it finished 1-1, we were down.

At the final whistle Carlisle fans ran onto pitch, there was no trouble as we clapped the four remaining players that had not been called of by Bond. The funny thing is the Carlisle fans thought we were clapping for them.

After the pitch was cleared Carlisle team came out then we did, Cooper, Pearce, Vokes, Pitman wre almost in tears.

It was hard to take in that we had got so close and you cant blame the players as they did try, just one game too many, I think we should have started with Pitman and two up front.

Man Of The Match
Well how do you pick one most of the players should be given it, Pearce, Hollands, Pittman, Kuffour, Gowling, worst player on the day Anderton time for him to leave. But I give it to Cooper a surprise choose but he just had that little extra today.

After the game we missed our train as we were kept as we were off down to Lancaster for the rest of the weekend for the end of season do. So that ment more beer oh well the summer is now here so time to reflect on what has happened.

AFCB
: Forde, Bradbury, Gowling, J Pearce, Cummings, Gradel, Anderton, Cooper, Hollands, Kuffour, Vokes
Subs: Pryce, Young, Garry, Pitman (for Anderton, 61 mins), Bartley (for Cummings, 86 mins)

Steve Hunt, Shaftesbury