MATCH REPORT: Northampton Town 3-0 Carlisle United

Keith Curle got one over on former employers as his Northampton side stopped Carlisle’s six-game winning run, to end their drought of six without a victory in the process.

A second half double from Jack Bridge gave the Cobblers a comfortable lead, before substitute Junior Morrias sealed things as the Cumbrians’ dismal display after the break meant their momentum ground to halt.

It was the first time that Curle had faced his former club since leaving last summer, but the 484 supporters who had made the 450-mile round trip had more on their minds; with John Sheridan’s shock resignation last week and the uncertainty of the transfer window still looming over them.

Following the departure of playmaker Matt Crooks yesterday, the Cobblers’ starting XI featured Brighton & Hove Albion loanee George Cox for his debut; but John-Joe O’Toole remained on the sidelines.

17-year-old Cumbrian youth academy product Liam McCarron was awarded his first League Two start of the campaign by interim managers Paul Murray and Tommy Wright.

The first half was stalemate. It was evident that the hosts would use probing long balls early on in hope of a sniff at goal, while the visitors aimed for success on the break.

Both sides have decent chances during the half, with Northampton striker Andrew Williams having his effort inside the penalty area saved superbly by Adam Collin during the opening exchanges.

From that stop, Hallam Hope was able to bear down on goal following a swift counter-attack up the left flank; but on his 100th appearance for the club, he flashed wide at a tight angle.

Not long after that, in-form Fleetwood Town loanee Jack Sowerby had a guilt-edged chance but surprisingly hammered the ball straight at David Cornell as the interval loomed.

Debutant McCarron was a real unknown threat down the right wing for wing back Cox to deal with; although was withdrawn later on in the game in spite of some impressive moments.

With nothing to separate the evenly-matched teams at half-time, all was to play for.

Unsurprisingly, the tactics that Curle was drilling into his players all afternoon sunk in with the former blue boss unusually animated on the touchline.

Eventual man of the match Bridge arrived to fire home despite Anthony Gerrard beating Sam Hoskins to the initial header from a dangerous cross to break the deadlock just two minutes into the half.

Northampton gained confidence from their goals as they stopped the dangerous opposition midfield from advancing. That allowed the home full backs to push on, and make the ‘mysterious’ 3-5-2 work its magic. League Two player of the month for December and captain Danny Grainger was also frustrated on the left wing.

Just after the hour mark, the sharp inside forward got his second of the affair courtesy of a cute outside of the boot finish; leaving Carlisle with no bridge to cross to get back into the game.

The Sixfields crowd were up for it, and Curle had his men remain focused on the task at hand. Their third of the encounter had an element of luck to it, as the ball ricocheted off Sowerby to allow Morias to strike a killer blow.

The Cumbrians were shellshocked by Curle’s tactics, barely creating any meaningful passages of play prior to the final whistle. 6 ft 5 in Preston North End loanee Connor Simpson made his debut from the bench and got in potentially prosperous areas but failed to find the target on two occasions.

A roar from the Cobblers crowd went up at full-time; contrasting the loyal 484 away supporters had the feeling of watching their team lose a game for the first time in just over a month while also knowing the loss of Ashley Nadesan and Jerry Yates could prove costly to their play-off aspirations.

Ultimately, the travelling team were far from on par with their recent standards – as they struggled to create chances while not stopping opposition opportunities.

The result leaves a slightly deflated yet likely still confident Carlisle in 6th place, with plenty of hope that this might be the year promotion is achieved. Whereas for Northampton, who were clearly not affected by their recent squad shakeup, a first home win in well over two months lifted them into 16th – as they aim to steer clear of the relegation scrap this season.

Attendance: 4,875 (484)

Home star man: Liam McCarron

Away star man: Jack Bridge

Referee: Lee Swabey

words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent