Carlisle will be wishing they could play Kidderminster every week following this comprehensive victory at the Aggborough Stadium.
Manager Ian Atkins brought in teenage defender Mark Thurstan for Tony Hemmings to revert to a 3-5-2 formation. The tactical switch paid dividends as the Cumbrians nullified the Harriers neat, but toothless, approach play whilst allowing themselves to get forward effectively at every opportunity. Carlisle have now won three and drawn one of their last five games which hints that the Blues may be turning the corner. Surprisingly Ian Atkins wasn't altogether happy with the performance. He said: "I thought in the first half we were shocking. Even though we were one nil up at half time we had no pace to the game, no zip and we looked lifeless. We've played much better on our travels this season but we still went in one up. Once we are up we are difficult to break down. Then in the second half I thought we controlled the game superbly, got some good possession and got the ball in decent areas, got the second goal and then basically played the game out." The first chance of the game fell to Scott Dobie after five minutes but his header from Ian Stevens' flick on was comfortably saved by home keeper Stuart Brock.
On 15 minutes Richard Prokas and Mark Winstanley combined to block Scott Stamps attempt on goal after being played through by Ian Bogie.
Nine minutes later Gordon Connelly almost opened the scoring but his shot was turned round the post by Brock. Connelly appeared to be pulled back by Craig Hinton, but the referee dismissed the Cumbrians penalty appeals.
Two minutes from the break the Blues took a deserved lead when Ian Stevens flicked on a Prokas left wing cross for Connelly to swivel and volley a right foot shot into the bottom corner.
The lead was almost extended in first half injury time when Lee Maddison's short free kick to Mick Galloway saw the midfielder shave the post with a rasping drive.
A quick succession of corners immediately after the restart put the Cumbrians in the ascendancy.
The inevitable second goal came 11 minutes into the second half when Scott Dobie's powerful header was the result of another in-swinging Galloway corner.
Three minutes later Ian Stevens got on the end of a Lee Maddison cross, only to head narrowly over.
On 66 minutes Bogie had the home sides first shot of any substance on target which was comfortably saved by Glennon. This was closely followed by disgraced former Blues player John Durnin's attempted chip straight into Glennon's hands much to the enjoyment of the travelling support.
The Cumbrian's were now content to keep possession and frustrate the home side, but Galloway almost extended the lead on 81 minutes when his in-swinging corner hit the bar with Brock beaten.
Mike Corry
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