Mike Williamson warns Carlisle are work in progress despite ‘perfect result’

Posted Sunday, September 22, 2024 by PA

Carlisle boss Mike Williamson warned it would take time to turn things around before seeing his new team win 2-0 at Swindon just 48 hours after taking over.

The former Newcastle player, who switched from the MK Dons hotseat on Thursday, was delighted after the Cumbrians romped to their first victory in six games, courtesy of goals from Sam Lavelle and Luke Armstrong in each half.

Williamson said: “It was a perfect result. I said to the boys after that the ingredients they have shown in that game: the desire to put their bodies on the line, the attitude, the mentality, the heart and endeavour was brilliant.

“The boys deserved the result even though on the face of the game we have ridden our luck. But we will get better.

“For us to come in and the boys have bought into everything – the staff have been absolutely fantastic.”

United went ahead three minutes before the break when Lavelle nodded in Cameron Harper’s corner at the near post.

Williamson said: “We have got boys who want to head the ball – that is the special ingredient – defending as well.

“To grind it like they did was fantastic. The boys were cramping up but they never gave up or dropped their heads. Their body language stayed really positive.

“There are so many positives to take away. I am really pleased.”

Swindon began brightly, with Kabongo Tshimanga having an early shot blocked after outmuscling his marker before George Cox’s close-range free-kick was saved by Harry Lewis after he handled a back pass.

Will Wright then curled his free-kick inches wide. Cox then had another batted away by Lewis.

Just before half-time United’s Jon Mellish went close with an inviting header at the far post before Cox shanked into the side netting after being released in the box.

In the 72nd minute Armstrong doubled the lead when his side-footed effort was pushed onto a post by Jack Bycroft but his grasping failed to stop the ball trickling over the line.

Town’s Danny Butterworth rattled a post from distance late on.