Brilliant Baker & Co. Crush Carlisle

6000+ County fans witnessed just the second home win of the season for the Hatters, which saw them overcome a lacklustre Carlisle side by 3 goals to nil.

Carl Baker got his first goals in County colours, in between a Stevie Gleeson special from 25 yards.

Striker Craig Davies was handed his County debut up front on his own, while Irishman Peter Thompson was dropped from the starting line up along with Anthony Pilkington, as Baker took his place.

Former Hatter Marc Bridge-Wilkison started for the Cumbrians.

County looked full of confidence and flair, yet you wouldn’t have been able to tell from the first five minutes.

Irish international Graham Kavanagh blasted over from just outside the area after good work from Bridge-Wilkinson deflected and fell kindly to Kavanagh.

In the 6th minute though, Baker gave County the lead with a good piece of attacking play from the County wingers.

Baker received the ball from Rowe and cut inside twice before firing a shot towards Alwick’s far left corner.

Defender Danny Livesey blocked the shot, but it only rebounded of Livesey’s leg and over the Carlisle keeper who was left stranded.

Baker looked like he was finally hitting top form, and he eased his way past Livesey before unleashing a magnificent through ball from the halway line that was just too powerful for Davies to latch onto.

Halfway into the first half, Gleeson, having a maginificent game in the middle of the park, and Tommy Rowe carved their way through the Utd backline with one two passes all the way to the pnealty area.

In the end, Rowe’s shot lacked pace and conviction as the County fans prepared to celebrate. The move left boss Jim Gannon applauding the two playmakers.

County were brilliant going forward, but the defence looked a little shaky in the first 5 minutes of the match.

After a Carlisle corner was cleared, The Cumbrians had a very good penalty shout turned down as Craig Davies appeared to control the ball with his hand.

Danny Graham then wasted a guilt-edge opportunity to draw Carlisle level as he slipped before blazing the ball over the bar from 12 yards out.

Graham then had a bit of a nightmare five minutes. Good work from Kavanagh released Graham into a one-on-one with Forster again, but Graham embarrassingly slipped just as he shaped to shoot.

Carl Baker then tried to beat Alwick with a curling effort into the far corner, but Alwick stayed big and fisted the ball away.

County did double their lead 20 minutes into the second half though.

Gleeson, a strong contender for man of the match, gracefully took the ball in his stride at the half way line before bombing forward and releasing Turnbull just inside the area.

Turnbull slipped before eventually laying it back to Gleeson from about 25 yards out. Gleeson, with his left foot, took an almighty swipe at the ball and even he seemed surprised as the ball lashed into the far corner.

Gaffer Jim Gannon punched the air as the players mobbed Gleeson. He’d done it again! Wycombe away, anyone?!

And 7 minutes later, if there was any doubt about Baker’s first goal for the Hatters, he made sure the second was his with another well taken strike from just inside the area.

After a dangerous Rowe corner was cleared, Baker leapt to control a high ball, and as the ball bobbled and bounced around the area, Baker stroked the ball with his weak foot just above the keepers head.

Game over. County upto 8th place in the L1 table and Carlisle manager John Ward hadn’t done anything to relieve the pressure on his job after 12 games without a win for Utd.

Debutant Craig Davies. having done a very good job of a lone striker, went down with cramp and was taken off to a standing ovation. He was replaced by Pistol Pete, who also got a standing ovation from 35 Linfield fans who had travelled to Edgeley to see the striker.

Thompson then missed two great chances. First, Turnbull volleyed the ball in and Thompson fluffed a diving header from literally a yard out. Then, Jason Taylor released him down the flank.

Pistol Pete cut inside well and beat his man, but his effort with his left foot was weak and rolled into Alwick’s arms.

The final whistle blew, and a second home win of the season for the Hatters. The play offs are looking very possible for County, who woulda thunk it?