The latest week in Carlisle United’s waning top-flight season was certainly a thing of contrasts. There was a pair of meetings against two other sets of Blues…and dramatically different fortunes.
Firstly, a trip to St Andrew’s to take on Freddie Goodwin’s Birmingham City. Carlisle were up against a home side graced by the talents of rising young star Trevor Francis, while the familiar goalscoring presence of ex-United striker Bobby Hatton was also in the Birmingham ranks.
Yet it was events at the other end of the pitch that would have a defining impact on another frustrating, and bruising, United defeat.
Things had reached the 25th minute without a goal when Carlisle advanced through Ray Train, whose through-ball put Joe Laidlaw through. Gary Sprake, the home keeper, seemed second favourite to get there yet he threw himself at Laidlaw’s feet and denied a likely goal.
He also, though, suffered a badly gashed shin in the process. Sprake needed to be stretchered off as he was taken to the dressing room for stitches. In his absence, defender and captain Gary Pendrey took the gloves...yet Carlisle were unable to pierce a dogged Birmingham defence from there.
Bobby Owen is stretchered off in United's bruising defeat at BirminghamBobby Owen is stretchered off in United's bruising defeat at Birmingham (Image: News & Star)
Things grew increasingly combative given that the stretcher was back on a few minutes later, this time for United’s Bobby Owen, who was injured in a heavy challenge from the hosts’ Steve Bryant. Owen was eventually replaced by Chris Balderstone but by then, Carlisle had found themselves behind.
The reason was Francis, who displayed his ability to the full with a remarkably-taken opening goal. Birmingham broke against United five minutes before half-time and as Francis appeared ready to cross from the right, instead he let fly with a 30-yard shot, and it dipped viciously away from Allan Ross to give the home side the lead.
United, now behind, were struggling to keep a lid on their own frustrations as some aggressive challenges continued. Peter Carr contributed one of his own on Bryant and was fortunate that only a yellow card resulted.
Ex-United striker Bob Hatton helped Birmingham get the better of his former clubEx-United striker Bob Hatton helped Birmingham get the better of his former club (Image: PA)
The interval allowed both sides to cool down after an increasingly angry spectacle, and in the second half Carlisle came back strongly at Birmingham. With Sprake now back on, though, United failed to find a way through, and in the closing stages the hosts punished the visitors. Hatton’s shot came back off the crossbar, and Kenny Burns pounced to seal a 2-0 victory.
It felt like a lost opportunity, given how well United had played for good spells, while much of the aftermath was dominated by debate on the rough nature of the game, referee Jim Bent also criticised for his forgiving approach to many questionable challenges.
All Carlisle could do from there was regroup and get ready for the formidable test of Everton, who would arrive at Brunton Park as First Division leaders. What followed was as notable a result as United enjoyed all season; certainly since their previous encounter with the Toffees, a 3-2 win at Goodison Park.
This time the drama was packed into a memorable second half showing by the Blues. With Tom Clarke getting an opportunity in goal in place of the rested Ross, and John Gorman recalled for Eddie Spearritt, Carlisle performed doggedly against an Everton side backed by a strong travelling support.
Joe Laidlaw's twice-taken penalty sent United on the way to a superb win over Everton at Brunton ParkJoe Laidlaw's twice-taken penalty sent United on the way to a superb win over Everton at Brunton Park (Image: News & Star)
Billy Bingham’s title-chasers were replete with talent, Bob Latchford their line-leader and £300,000 man Martin Dobson back in the side after flu, but United were initially defiant, goalkeeper Clarke excelling with a superb save to deny Dave Clements among other solid contributions.
After the break, Carlisle then pulled thrillingly clear of their visitors. In the 64th minute, the raiding Dennis Martin was tripped by Peter Scott. Laidlaw rifled home the penalty but a retake was ordered, Frank Clarke ruled to have encroached into the box. No matter – Laidlaw’s second finish was just as fearless, powerfully drilled into the same spot, and United had the lead.
On they marched, Ray Train almost unlocking Everton again, Clarke superbly denied by keeper Dai Davies and, in the 82nd minute, scoring again: a free-kick for handball on the right, Carr’s subtle low delivery and Martin’s instinctive finish into the top corner.
It was now an afternoon of rare abandon for the Blues and before the end they garnished it with a third. Train arrived to flick on Martin’s cross, and Frank Clarke was there to convert a clinical header.
It finished 3-0, as fine a result as United had achieved all season, and a serious wound in Everton’s championship hopes into the bargain. There was little to be done in terms of Carlisle’s First Division future but it was certainly one of those games destined to live long in the memory even as they slid back down.
It was a memorable afternoon at Brunton ParkIt was a memorable afternoon at Brunton Park (Image: News & Star)
As United moved on to their next game, against Burnley, other changes and considerations were on the Brunton Park agenda. In the Main Stand, a new permanent television platform had been erected, welded onto the roof in place of the previous scaffolding construction which had been somewhat precarious and also a viewing obstruction for certain fans.
The new platform was christened by a Granada TV team at the Everton game, when the cameras caught United at their best. Alas, the spectacle would be at a lower level in the following season, and it appeared that the Second Division would also be a costlier one in terms of travel, given the presence of more southern clubs such as Portsmouth, Norwich City, Southampton and Plymouth Argyle at that level.
“Division Two could mean more overnight stops, more expensive hotel bills, and it’s going to make a difference,” a United spokesman said. “The situation doesn’t look too promising.”
All the more reason, then, to keep the First Division flame burning brightly until it was snuffed out for good…
Read last week’s 1974/75 feature HERE