fbpx
Connect with us

Carlisle United

2023 League Two playoff final tie confirmed as second club advances through

The 2023 League Two playoff final tie is now confirmed as a second club advances through, after Carlisle played host to Bradford.

Coming into this game, it was the Bantams who held a 1-0 advantage after a Jamie Walker goal at Valley Parade on Sunday evening.

Andy Cook cushioned a header into the path of Scott Banks, and his smart touch arrived at Walker’s feet, who played a simple touch into the box before thumping one past the Cumbrians keeper Tomas Holy.

The winners of both ties would go on to meet at Wembley on Sunday the 28th of May.

It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken, Carlisle levelled in the tie on 21 minutes.

Carlisle’s strong start was rewarded with the breakthrough at Brunton Park, as Halliday ended up being forced into bundling the ball into the Bradford net before Gordon can convert a rebound. Own goal.

And while all of this was happening, Stockport and Salford were playing out a penalty shootout in the other League Two semi final second leg, with the Hatters winning that 3-1.

Back to the game at Carlisle and the hosts ramped up the pressure on the Bradford goal, with goalkeeper Lewis and the crossbar denying the hosts from getting their second, moments after Bradford were denied an equaliser themselves by the frame of the Carlisle goal.

Carlisle continued to keep the ball alive after Joe Garner made his way through on the right. Corey Whelan sending a low one from 20 yards that caught Harry Lewis off guard and just about goes past the right-hand post.

Adam Clayton went into the book for a foul on Joe Garner just before half time.

Chris Lumsdon (Former Carlisle midfielder on BBC Radio Cumbria): “Bradford don’t seem to have that player who can dance past the Carlisle defence, at the moment.

“We saw when the likes of Salford and Stockport visited they had that player who could do the damage.”

On the 52nd minute, Owen Moxon allowed Corey Whelan to run onto a ball in the box and go to ground… but the replay showed he actually tripped himself up.

Then, Joe Garner was booked for a really clumsy challenge on Alex Gilliead.

Just minutes to go, Owen Moxon saw his name in lights and produced a shot from distance, only for it to go way off target.

Andy Kiwomya (Ex-Bradford forward and head of performance on BBC Radio Leeds): “Mark Hughes will have told his players in no uncertain terms to get amongst this team.

“They sat back in first half and did very little to show they really want to get in this final.

“They need to show what they’re really about.”

Chris Lumsdon: “I tell you what, Bradford are rattled here.

“Carlisle are first to the ball and Bradford are giving it away – they’re in that sluggish mode.”

Nine minutes were added on, but the game went to extra time.

After a cagey start, Carlisle’s Callum Guy went into the book for a lunging challenge on the onrushing Scott Banks.

GOAL! Carlisle 2-0 Bradford (Guy, 98)

And then came Carlisle’s second! A corner from the left was only half-cleared by Brad Halliday, with the ball dropping for Guy, who struck the ball brilliantly, with a bounce in the six yard, to make sure it ended up going beyond Harry Lewis!

The second half of extra started with a goal.

GOAL! Carlisle 2-1 Bradford (Derbyshire, 106)

Mark Hughes’ men began so quick with Scott Banks running down the left, cut inside his man and cut the ball back for veteran Matt Derbyshire to slot home the aggregate equaliser 29 seconds after the game restarted.

GOAL! Carlisle 3-1 Bradford (Barclay, 112)

More drama in these playoffs.

Ben Barclay – who is a Stockport loanee and won’t be able to play if Carlisle reach Wembley – got a slight touch on Owen Moxon’s cross to take it past Harry Lewis!

Chris Lumsdon: “What the hell do we do now?

“That goal is thoroughly deserved for Ben Barclay, he’s been magnificent over these two legs.

“It’s about being in control of your emotions now.”

As Sky Sports decided to cut out with three minutes remaining, fans took to hit out at the broadcaster.

But luckily for the home fans, no more goals were scored and Carlisle booked a place in the final.

Carlisle will play Stockport in the playoff final. You can see how Stockport v Salford played out by clicking HERE.

Richie Wellens on Sky Sports Football: “Ben Barclay will be pleased he scored the winner, but he’ll be absolutely gutted he can’t play at Wembley. There was a huge crowd at both games today, so I imagine it will be a really special occasion. It will be bittersweet.”

This is what fans had to say with the 2023 League Two playoff final tie confirmed as a second club advances through…

@kylefear01: Love that!! Hope you lot end up coming up with us after all

@JHWnorth: Well done @officialcufc ❤ from a Crewe fan great result to get to playoff final by beating @officialbantams

@benchxmbo: YES. FUCKING GET ON BLUES 😍😍

@sibigironman: How’s about that!! Absolutely thrilled and it’s going to be a great day out next Sunday #blue #cufc #proud 💙

@jakecarruthers5: Wow, what a difference a year makes. I’m lost for words, this team , this manager , these fans. WE’Ve got super Paul simpsonnnn

@james10hodgson: Wow… thank you. 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️⚽️ from this time last year Paul Simpson you are God!!! 🙏 #cufc

@RomanMcCarthy4: Better side on the day – we were shit and you capitalised fair play.

@joshallen21_: UP THE FUCKING BLUES 💙🤍💙🤍

@paulmclem: Nice one. Scotland’s favourite English team going to Wembley. We are going up etc.

@NeilSullivan7: As much as I’ve slated you hope you win at Wembley. We love a weekend in Carlisle so go win it 👍

@vac140890: My hair turned gray in the last 30 minutes of the game.

@LDHartley13: Fully deserved Carlisle enjoy your day at Wembley, far better team on the day.

@75Carole: Well done, Carlisle 👏 👏 Enjoy your day out next Sunday. It should be a cracking game 😀

@bowers_cameren: Hughes is the only person to blame. I’m already over it. Well played #CUFC well deserved best team on the day gave u slack all week. Onto next season, the right recruitment needed #bcafc

@lofty2021: Fair play to #cufc they actually wanted it. Deservedly going to Wembley. What a fucking wasted opportunity. #bcafc

@joshkenny2: Que Sera Sera 🎵 SUPER PAUL SIMPSON 💙

@Jordan_wood22: GET ME TO FUCKING WEMBLEY! GET INNNN 💙

@Leef96: WEMBLEY WEMBLEY WERE THE FAMOUS CARLISLE UNITED AND WERE GOUNG TO WEMBLEY

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Carlisle United