Mike Williamson rues first-half display in Carlisle’s loss to Cheltenham

Posted Sunday, October 27, 2024 by PA

Manager Mike Williamson admitted Carlisle’s first-half performance wasn’t good enough as they remain in the League Two relegation zone following a 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham at Brunton Park.

Ethon Archer’s early goal, which came as a result of a Harry Lewis mistake, was enough to seal all three points for the Robins, who are now just five points off the play-off positions.

The visitors dominated the first half and they should have been further ahead at the break while the Cumbrians were outplayed and struggled to cope with the Robins’ front line.

Williamson said: “You can see the pain on the lads’ faces as they go out and give everything.

“We weren’t good enough in the first half, we thought they’d press us high and we struggled to win those second balls in midfield.

“At half-time we went over things tactically but all that changes when we have Chaz’s (Charlie Wyke) injury.”

Wyke, a half-time substitute, was carried off on a stretcher early in the second half after a full-blooded challenge from Robins midfielder Luke Young.

Williamson added: “He is our captain and our leader and to see something like that happen to him is very hard to see.

“The reaction from the boys to that is testament to their character but we couldn’t find the net and we’re getting punished for our mistakes.”

The goal came from a Lewis mistake but Williamson admitted there is no individual to blame for the defeat.

“There’s no holding hands up, we’re in it together. Mistakes happen on the pitch but the responsibility starts and stops with me,” he said.

For Cheltenham, the win caps off an excellent week after also picking up a point at home to Bradford and a win at Colchester.

Boss Michael Flynn said: “It’s been a really good week, we had two long away trips and a good performance against Bradford.

“If we’d taken our chances in all games it would have been a perfect week.

“Today, we could have been maybe four, five or even six up at half-time. We were menacing, we were causing them no end of problems.

“We had a few let-offs in the second half but we also had chances to kill the game off. That’s the only disappointment today as I thought the lads were absolutely superb.

“If you said to me before the week that we’d pick up seven points, then I would’ve bitten your hands off.”

Flynn also praised the performance of Archer, who is now up to seven goal contributions for the season after today’s winner.

He added: “He’s really taking his opportunity, he’s really stepping up to the plate now as is Jordan (Thomas) the last couple of games.

“However, first half, the best player on the pitch was Liam Kinsella. He broke up so much of their possession and then we were able to go and create a goalscoring opportunity. I thought he was absolutely superb.”