Carlisle and Cambridge play out goalless stalemate

Posted Sunday, November 24, 2019 by PA

Cambridge ended a run of five defeats in all competitions on the road with a Sky Bet League Two goalless draw in a game of few clear-cut chances against Carlisle.

The fact that neither goalkeeper had a direct shot to save told the story of the first 45 minutes in a game that lapsed into a battle for midfield possession.

Carlisle saw plenty of the ball in that area, but the build up was too deliberate to trouble a solid-looking Cambridge rearguard.

George Maris provided one early threat for the visitors with a shot from the edge of the penalty area which drifted a yard wide of the right-hand post, while – nearer to half-time – leading scorer Sam Smith blasted a half-chance over the crossbar.

But the best scoring opportunity fell to Carlisle’s Olufela Olomola in the 40th minute when a Nathan Thomas free-kick picked him out unmarked at the far post.

However, the striker could only bury his header into the side netting.

When U’s goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov was finally called into action in the 51st minute, it was to produce a fine save from Olomola’s close-range header after Harry McKirdy had crossed from the left.

With a stalemate beckoning, Maris saw an effort deflected off-target and a header across the face of goal by Carlisle’s Ryan Loft gave the home side momentary hope.

Maris had another late chance to find the target from outside the area, but blasted the ball over the top.