It was, reckoned our correspondent, now the “feast before the famine”, Carlisle looking to make the most of their final First Division games before, as seemed highly likely, second-tier football would return to the agenda.
United, at the foot of the table and needing snookers to survive, still had to face sides such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Derby County, Stoke City and Everton: all among the best teams in the land.
Mike Hildrey, writing in the Evening News & Star, hoped that Carlisle could “go out against these glamour sides without the tension that has tangled up their game” in recent weeks. Manager Alan Ashman, meanwhile, said United simply had to give their all in what remained of 1974/75.
“I have told the players that we must make it as tough as possible for every club we still have to play,” he said. “Nothing could be worse than if we became an easy touch for the remainder of this season.
“That means we will start by aiming to halt our bad run at Maine Road.”
Manchester City, managed by Tony Book, right, were next up for the BluesManchester City, managed by Tony Book, right, were next up for the Blues (Image: PA)
The clash with Tony Book’s Manchester City was indeed next, a home side including stars such as Mike Summerbee, Dennis Tueart, Joe Corrigan and Colin Bell. Rodney Marsh was, though, out with suspension as Ashman recalled Frank Clarke in place of Hugh McIlmoyle.
Before the game at Maine Road, Ashman changed his normal pre-match routine. Instead of talking to the players right up to the moment they would head for the pitch, he took coach Dick Young and physio Herbert Nicholson with him as he left the dressing room, allowing his players ten minutes to talk amongst themselves.
“It was something I have never done before,” Ashman said. “I talked to the lads in the morning before we left for Manchester – they knew the subject they had to talk about.”
Ashman was, though, oblivious to what was said in the final moments before the action against City, yet as the game unfolded it appeared he had played a canny hand in allowing his players to take control. Carlisle, after surviving a near miss from the hosts’ Joe Royle, went on the attack and Clarke was close to a goal after good work by Peter Carr and Joe Laidlaw.
United remained on the front foot, in defiance of their six-game losing league run, and in the 23rd minute they scored. Clarke flicked on Carr’s long throw, and Laidlaw spun and volleyed powerfully past Corrigan.
Struggling Carlisle produced an impressive win at Maine RoadStruggling Carlisle produced an impressive win at Maine Road (Image: News & Star)
The lead was not long in surviving, since City equalised just three minutes later. Eddie Spearritt’s goal-line clearance only reached Summerbee, and he squared for Peter Barnes to drive past Ross.
Carlisle’s response, though, was spirited, and they maintained a good flow to their game. Clarke missed a great chance to restore the lead after Eddie Spearritt and Laidlaw had combined, while in midfield, Ray Train and Les O’Neill were combining for a strong collective performance.
Laidlaw was denied a strong penalty shout by referee Jack Taylor when the forward seemed to be bundled over, but three minutes before half-time he rendered that immaterial with a superb second goal.
Dennis Martin was involved at the outset and after O’Neill chipped the ball square, Laidlaw curled a superb, instinctive shot from 20 yards which was too good for Corrigan, the ball dipping past the City No1.
Laidlaw had once again finished with inspired style and this gave United something to protect in a grittier second half. Both sides had their chances while Carlisle’s defending was resolute, Bill Green and Bobby Parker attentive at the back and Ross saving well at the feet of Barnes.
A third Carlisle goal was thwarted by Willie Donachie, who headed Clarke’s effort off the line, but there was no second comeback by City and United left with a highly welcome 2-1 win in the bag. “It was the ideal result with a performance to match,” reflected Ashman.
Man City keeper Joe Corrigan, right, had no answer to the inspired Joe LaidlawMan City keeper Joe Corrigan, right, had no answer to the inspired Joe Laidlaw (Image: News & Star)
Spirits, the manager said, had been lifted by the overdue result. This sent Carlisle into their next game, at Stoke’s Victoria Ground, in a positive frame of mind, yet the outcome there was less appealing, given that Tony Waddington’s side formed a much more formidable opponent.
In the end it proved as heavy a defeat as Carlisle suffered all season and certainly the only time they conceded five in top-flight football. On a rain-affected pitch, Stoke took an early lead through Terry Conroy’s close-range finish while, at the other end, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, Peter Shilton, did not come under immediate Blues assault.
Stoke had England World Cup hero Geoff Hurst in attack and he missed a great chance for a second, a miss duly punished when Laidlaw replied for Carlisle, drilling a Bobby Owen flick beyond Shilton.
It was an even and entertaining contest from there yet, in the second half, Stoke mercilessly punished United. With the out-of-sorts Hurst substituted at half-time, his big replacement Ian Moores caused Carlisle a different set of problems, while Alan Hudson remained an elusive presence in midfield.
Duly the Potters regained the lead in the 65th minute when Conroy diverted Geoff Salmons’ 40-yard pass beyond Ross. Jimmy Greenhoff then headed a third and United’s confidence duly faded.
Geoff Hurst, left, pictured with Stoke boss Tony Waddington, had a poor day against Carlisle - but his team-mates did notGeoff Hurst, left, pictured with Stoke boss Tony Waddington, had a poor day against Carlisle - but his team-mates did not (Image: PA)
Stoke were increasingly now playing like potential champions and Moores was next on the scoresheet with a 20-yard shot. Carr pulled one back for United, heading home his first Blues goal at the second attempt, but the hosts added a late fifth through Salmons’ long-range beauty.
It had been an entertaining, full-spirited contest yet Stoke had proved irresistible with their 5-2 victory, and Carlisle’s route back to the Second Division was now beyond argument. All they could do was regroup for the next test. “It was a great advert for football,” felt Ashman, “similar to the Maine Road game.
“But this time we lost and we’ve got to start all over again at Birmingham.”
Read last week’s 1974/75 feature HERE