So I ask you this... Why do people chose to class the LDV as a "non-interest" or just another "mickey-mouse cup." It is a possible trip to a cup final and to be honest, it can herald some fantastic games on the way. Only in the Northern Semi-Final last year did the Latics take the cup seriously and then we lost 5-2 to Blackpool. But take this bizarre thought - what interest would it create if the Football League woke up and attempted to gain the winner entry to Europe - but only through the Intertoto Cup of course. If Barry Town et al can be in Europe, why not have a place in the Intertoto for the LDV winner? It's highly unlikely that the winner would go on to proceed to the UEFA cup, but it would surely increase the LDV cup interest, no-end.
Anyhow, this game was treated with the usual approach. To be fair though, the side wasn't as thin as usual. It was an ideal opportunity to give others on the fringe a chance, but also with recent injuries and suspensions, a chance to build fitness for others. Cue youngsters Scott Vernon and Will Haining being mixed with recent comeback players like Armstrong and Hill. Then flavour that with those who have waited on the bench recently like Killen and Carss and the side had quite a use backbone to it. Again, it was this squad system I've recently talked about but again it never weathered the test.
The return of Hill and Baudet looked like a blessing, but at times it was the opposite. Armstrong (pictured) conspired to have a stinker and take part in a hilarious, calamitous 3rd goal and Hall, on replacing Haining, looked as shaky as he has been for the past few games. The defence really was the reason for some shocking play and in the end it gifted all Carlisle's goals by opening itself up to runners. The deciding goal was a class and brutal example.The visitors had come with a no-fear attitude - one which meant they would run at our defence and stretch it to the limits. And that they did. Early efforts from Carlisle saw Paul Murphy hit one just over the bar from the edge of the box and then moments later, pacey Osmond ran at defenders to push them into the box and see a glimpse of goal. His effort on goal took a deflection to go wide, but amazingly the referee gave a goal kick.
The Latics slowly began to settle and on 21, took the lead. Andrews was slipped in down the right and he proceeded to power into the box and tuck the ball into the far corner. 1-0.
Immediately after the re-start, Baudet pulled up as he chased back into defence. A torn hamstring was the result, ruling the Frenchman out for at least 6 weeks. Clegg replaced him. But just as the defence looked settled, it was wide open after the substitution and as Darren Sheridan showed indecision on the ball, he allowed Osmond to nip through and shoot between Miskelly's legs. 1-1.
The home side responded strongly. Killen sent Clegg down the right, he crossed in a low 6 yard ball and Andrews beat his marker to turn the ball on goal. Somehow, the keeper got a finger to it and push the ball onto the post and out. The corner came to nothing, but seconds later, Killen cleverly hooked a ball over his shoulder putting Vernon through, but again the Carlisle keeper did well - this time rushing out to smother Vernon's shot.
As the hosts continued to look more composed as the half wore on, Lourenco tried a 35 yard drive from a free-kick. The ball swerved around the wall but failed to bend back enough and shaved the outside of the post.
The half drifted to a close, but the Latics were firmly in control by the end of it. Indeed, on 45, John Eyre cleverly beat a few and got a shot in. The ball stopped in a melee of players, but Andrews raced clear and should have sent the hosts in with a half time lead. The keeper and a defender blocked on the line though.
Continuing from where they had left off, the Latics came out looking the livelier in the 2nd half. On 50 minutes Lourenco, who was looking the liveliest of them all, had an angled shot saved. But against the run of play Carlisle took the lead on 59. Just seconds before Hall replaced an injured Will Haining and it was his first contribution (or lack of) which gifted the lead to the visitors. It was a slip when he should have cleared that presented Osmond with a tap-in for 2-1.
The Latics attempted to rally. Clegg, who played well going forward but still found himself turned easily when defending, managed to race at the goal and strike an effort inches wide. However the game looked dead and buried after the 2002 Christmas bloopers video got another insert.
With 64 gone, Carlisle placed a long ball forward. It appeared to go harmlessly into the area for Miskelly to rightly come towards the edge of the box and claim. However, Armstrong got involved and just as Miskelly positioned himself to gather, Armstrong nodded the ball over him allowing Carlisle's Farrell to collect his own early Christmas gift. With a tight angle, but an empty goal to shoot for he tucked home despite Hall's desperate lunge. 1-3.
It was beginning to look pretty desperate for the Latics now. But perseverance paid off in style. On 72, Killen should have scored but with only the keeper to beat, he hit the ball into his chest. However, as the rebound dropped nicely Killen prepared himself to chip the ball over the sprawled goalie, but Lourenco stole the ball off his toes and stuck it into the side netting.
Minutes later though, and within less than 60 seconds of each other, Vernon netted twice to level at 3-3. His first was a classic, "pick up the loose midfield ball and crack one" sticking the ball around the keeper and into the far corner. And almost instantly from the re-start, Clegg got to the Carlisle by-line and provided a peach of a cross for a totally unmarked Vernon to nod home. It was a case of the Carlisle heads sent spinning. 3-3.
With their tails now well and truly up, the hosts pressed on. And on 83 the referee, who been dire all night missed an incredulous handball as a Vernon header was clearly handled by not one hand, but two!!! No penalty though.
In response Carlisle watched as Hill cleared one off the line on 87 and then at the other end, Armstrong's superb long range ball found Lourenco at the back post, but somehow the visiting keeper tipped the ball away.
The game had exploded but after both sides could have stolen it at the death, neither had. Cue extra-time and cue more shocking Latics defending. Within seconds of the re-start another error meant Miskelly had to save a one-on-one with his foot but on 95, the Latics really had gifted bottom-of-the-football-league Carlisle too much. Another ball through, another Latics error and another chance for Farrell. This time he cleanly tuck it away past Miskelly and Carlisle won on the golden goal rule. 3-4.
After some great times so far this season, the Latics comedy defending meant this game ranked as bad as the Wycombe performance and with 3 injuries from it (Baudet, Carss & Haining) it proved a costly one too. Let's hope we confine it to the LDV cup then and make sure QPR feel the backlash this Saturday.