Winning start for new Carlisle boss Pressley

Posted Sunday, January 20, 2019 by PA

Carlisle handed new manager Steven Pressley the perfect start with a 2-0 home win over Cheltenham.

After a first half of limited chances, the game came alive after the break when goals from Jamie Devitt and Hallam Hope earned promotion hopefuls Carlisle a fifth straight home win.

Cheltenham defender Chris Hussey was responsible for a couple of dangerous early forays down the left flank, one of which ended with a powerful shot which forced home goalkeeper Adam Collin to tip over.

However, Carlisle set most of the early pace and Devitt tried his luck from 25 yards with an accurate effort that had Robins goalkeeper Scott Flinders leaping at full stretch to claw the ball away.

After an untidy end to the first half, Devitt broke the deadlock for Carlisle in the 50th minute, controlling a ball from Regan Slater inside the box and whipping in a shot which went in off the inside of the post.

Town’s on-loan debutant Charlie Raglan nearly produced an immediate response with a low effort that had Collin scrambling to push away.

Carlisle’s second goal in the 57th minute came about from sloppy defence and smart work by Devitt, who stole the ball inside the visitors’ half to feed Hope and he coolly swept the ball past Flinders.

Luke Varney should have put the Robins on the board when he cut in on goal but wasted the chance, then it was sub Jacob Maddocks’ turn to be frustrated by a fine Collin save.

The game opened up in the closing stages and Hope and Danny Grainger were off target with good chances to put it beyond Cheltenham’s reach.