Well, the Rugby World Cup ended in disappointment, but not totally. For the "worst English team in 30 years" to reach the World Cup Final was an achievement. For a good Cumbrian lad to be cruelly denied a try which could have swung the game was gutting, though. Still, the 6 Nations in a couple of months, and there is another World Cup in four years, so chins up!
It is beyond 'nice' to be going into November as the top team in Tier 3. How far we have come in recent years under the benevolent stewardship of Fred 'Long' Story, but we must continue to push onwards for more! Promotion this season would be great, and a couple of good cup runs would be nice, too. I'll be missing our first round FA Cup match, having been lured by the charms of Workington Reds playing away at Bury. I will be getting my hands on my new Cumbrian flags, printed for free via a kindly Workington Reds fan. Pictures of the day will be up next month.
Anyway, back to the Mighty Cumbrians of the Carlisle United flavour! A couple of good games last month, including a couple of stomping wins. Can't be bad!
SouthendI was listening to BBC Radio Essex on the way out of Southend, and fans were saying:
- Carlisle were lucky to win
- 1st half was best Southend had played this season
- Southend were all over Carlisle for the 1st half
- the referee was rubbish
I'll partially agree with the last one, as there were some strange decisions made. I thought I was watching the Chuckle Brothers during the "to you, to me" with the ball before free kicks.
made some good saves in the first half, but I didn't think you were exceptional. On the whole I thought Carlisle were good for the win, especially as we somehow missed two open goals.
And what was with charging £22 at the gate, when the tickets said £20 and that was the advertised price in advance?? Rip-off South.....
Key-ran Westward-Ho! made some good saves in the first half, but I didn't think Southend were exceptional. On the whole I thought Carlisle were good for the win, especially as we somehow missed two open goals. Don't get me wrong, I have the highest of opinions of Key-ran Westward-Ho!, and it was a stunning save fromt the free kick (I was in line with the flight of the ball after he tipped it away). Perhaps it was the blue tinted glasses that made me feel we were much more comfortable, but that was why I thought I'd ask the question
And what was with charging £22 at the gate, when the tickets said £20 and that was the advertised price in advance?? We were told it was £20 on the day, and £18 in advance. I didn't get one in advance as I've been a bit grotty the last couple of weeks, and wasn't sure if I'd make it there. I got there and on the turnstile it was saying £22! After I got into the ground, I realised the ticket did actually say £20 on it, but couldn't be bothered to go and debate it as the game was about to start.
Month aheadWe do have a tough month ahead, though, playing some of the other 3rd Tier high fliers, including some team called Leeds United. The last bit is a little tongue in cheek, because of course I have heard of them before. Same as I've heard of Grimsby, Gretna and Farsley Celtic. What has annoyed me this season has been the constant hype about us playing Leeds United. Yes, they were a big Tier 1 team a couple of years ago. Yes, they do have a lot of supporters. However, they are now simply another Tier 3 team, and one which are there for the beating. I think it is a tough game to predict, as it could go either way, but I do believe we can beat them on our current form. We will just have to see on Saturday, won't we? In the meantime, here are some clarifying points following all the banter on the Internet Forums:
So, there you go. A longer issue this month, but being off sick today (1st November) gave me the opportunity to make it so! Hopefully I'll be better for Saturday to walk down to the match, and home via the Carlisle Fireshow.
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