Brunton Babes show Sir Alex how it’s done
Last updated 11:29, Friday, 04 April 2008
SIR Alex Ferguson’s famous old phrase came dancing back down the years last night. “Football…bloody hell,” is the best way of describing a match and a result which tipped the English youth football scene on its head.
FA Youth Cup Fourth Round: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 CARLISLE UNITED 2
In front of the watching Old Trafford manager, and against a team of undoubted future internationals, including a couple of talented foreign imports, Carlisle United’s superbly-drilled teenagers achieved nothing less than the greatest result in the history of the Blues’ youth set-up.
And the outcome, a 2-1 victory against the pick of Manchester United’s academy, was as deserved as it was remarkable.
It was a tactical triumph by their coach, Eric Kinder, and a team performance of spirit and no little class by his side of young Cumbrians and recruits from the north-east and Lancashire.
A match that was tipped decisively in Carlisle’s favour by the right foot of Stephen Hindmarch, of Borrowdale near Keswick, and then sealed by a resolute defensive effort against the likes of Danny Welbeck – described by Fergie as a future Old Trafford star – and Federico Macheda, who the Red Devils plucked from Lazio.
Hindmarch, who flirted with Carlisle’s first team last season, created the Blues’ first goal with a deft pass which led to Gary Madine being flattened by the home ‘keeper, Ben Amos, in the area. Madine, the newest professional on the club’s books, buried the spot-kick with conviction.
Then Hindmarch illuminated the occasion with a goal fit for a bigger stage than Northwich Victoria’s tidy but modest new arena. There was a long goal kick from ‘keeper Alex Mitchell, a crucial leap and header from the towering Madine, a casual stroll towards the dropping ball from Hindmarch – and then a brutal strike from 20 yards which swerved past Amos and sparked delirious celebrations from the young Blues.
Welbeck, of whom we will undoubtedly hear again in future years, reduced the deficit on the brink of half-time with a classy finish. It was the goal that might have turned the game, were it not for the magnificent efforts of the likes of Dan Wordsworth and Tom Aldred in defence, and also Madine and his non-stop strike partner Andrew Cook for keeping the home defenders engaged throughout.
Unlike two years ago, when Carlisle’s gallant youth side lost heavily at Anfield, there were no giant stands, no huge blocks of intimidating red for the young Blues to gaze at when they emerged for battle. And certainly no feeling that this was a stage they shouldn’t be on.
Carlisle started with an orthodox 4-4-2 but with the crucial tactic of Madine dropping deep whenever their highly-rated opponents had possession, with the chief aim of stifling playmaker Danny Drinkwater.
It was an important, early line of defence and, barring a couple of breaks by the lightning-quick left winger Antonio Bryan, there were few early scares for the Blues, who were playing with a good degree of confidence.
And it was from one of their brightest spells that the first goal emerged in the 12th minute; some decent work from Connor Tinnion, Hindmarch’s pass, Amos’ foul which earned the ‘keeper a booking, and Madine’s calm penalty.
When Man Utd attacked at pace, with the ball on the turf in the traditional Old Trafford style, they were an obvious menace. When they swung long, diagonal balls into Carlisle territory, they were innocuous.
Scott Moffatt, a pacy right-back, shot just wide from the edge of the box, Macheda brought a solid block from Mitchell, then Corry Evans latched onto a mistake and rattled the post. And yet.
All this pressure was simply the prelude to Hindmarch’s stunning statement on 34 minutes – the moment that no doubt ensured his name dropped into several scouts’ notebooks. The 18-year-old looked comfortable and physically strong against high-class opponents all night; on this evidence, a professional contract surely awaits.
United’s magnificent second goal, as expected, provoked the home side, and with half-time at hand, Welbeck nimbly worked an opening on the edge of the box and drilled past Mitchell.
At the start of the second half, skipper Wordsworth made a crucial block to deny Macheda as the hosts tried to power through for an equaliser. But Carlisle remained able to break with speed and intelligence. Cockermouth’s Tinnion was denied by Amos when well-placed, and later the left-winger skipped beautifully past two challenges only to see his cross unrewarded.
Cook also had a header deflected over, while Man Utd’s persistent pressure brought several anxious moments – sub Daniel Galbraith’s effort was ruled out for offside – but little that tested Mitchell unduly, such was the quality and perseverance of that Blues defence.
“You have to give credit to the opposition. They deserved to win,” said Kinder’s opposite number, Paul McGuinness. Every word true. Today, the eye refuses to leave that scoreline. Manchester United 1, Carlisle United 2. It is confidently suggested that it is the best piece of arithmetic these teenagers have ever seen.
MATCH FACTS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Any number of contenders, but HINDMARCH was the pick of a hugely-impressive bunch.
Man Utd: Amos, Moffatt, Stewart (Galbraith 58) James, Gill, Evans, Eikrem (Norwood 86), Drinkwater, Welbeck, Macheda, Bryan. Subs: McCormack, Woods, Dudgeon.
Carlisle Utd: Mitchell, Brown, Duffy, Blake (Seaton 85), Wordsworth, Aldred, Hindmarch, Wood (Lakeland 64), Madine, Cook, Tinnion (Dalton 90). Subs: Jamieson, Dowson.
Att: 330.
Goals: Madine (pen) 12, Hindmarch 34, Welbeck 42.
