AJ Habbin Statto Corner

Statto Corner

Until this season, United had not lost both of their first two league matches since the 1994-95 season, when they were defeated 3-0 at Wycombe then lost 4-3 at home to Stockport. They also lost their third game, 1-0 at Oxford, and in between those matches lost both legs of their first round Coca-Cola Cup tie to Portsmouth, 2-0 away and 3-2 at home. At the end of the season they finished 20th in Division Two but were relegated to Division Three because of a League reorganisation.

Medy Elito has now taken three league penalties for United and converted every one…and all of them have been against Carlisle. Only eight players have scored more penalties for the U’s while also boasting a 100% record from the spot: Danny Crow (7), Steve Massey (7), Scott Rendell (6), Michael Cheetham (5), Frank Lock (5), Lee McEvilly (4), Paul Wilson (4) and Bill Cassidy (4). David Crown, Robbie Cooke and Roy McDonough join Elito on three.
Before today United had been unbeaten against Carlisle in the last six seasons in which they have occupied the same division. They last lost to the Cumbrians in the 1996-97 season, 3-1 at home (John Taylor scoring for the U’s) and 3-0 at Brunton Park.

Jevani Brown has become the 30th player to be allocated United squad number 20, the most popular number since they were introduced in 1999. The previous incumbents were: Larry McAvoy, Steve Guinan, Jonathan Hunt, John Dreyer, Des Byrne, Chris Allen, Shane Tudor, Jonathan Heathcote, Neil McCafferty, Ashley Nicholls, Dan Gleeson, Mbiyeye Medine, Shane Herbert, Luke McShane, Alex McCarthy, Felino Jardim, Adam Bartlett, Sam Ives, Jordan Patrick, Jonathon Thorpe, Luke Allen, Sam Smith, Issa Diallo, Cameron McGeehan, Matt Harrold, Jordan Chiedozie, Karlan Ahearne-Grant, Zeli Ismail and Max Clark.

Player Ratings
Forde 8. Reassuring presence at the back, no chance with the goals.
Davies 6. Decent game and learning all the time.
Legge 6. Still a mighty warrior, but was really exposed for pace in the first half.
Taylor 7. Another solid performance.
Carroll 6. Gradually improving, useful when assisting the attack.
Elito 6. Flitted in and out of the game, but at least we’ve found a penalty taker.
Deegan 7. Kept the traffic flowing.
O’Neil 6. Needs to do more; the team does not need two holding midfielders at home.
Berry 7. Made a decent contribution considering he was played way out of position for much of the game.
Ikpeazu 8. Barnstorming display, unplayable at his best.
Ibehre 7. Looked dangerous at times and linked promisingly with Ikpeazu. Goals will come.
Dunk 7. Lively cameo from the bench.

Mingoia 6. Seemed to have forgotten his laser-guided crossing boots today.
Azeez 5. Late sub made minimal impression.

Match Summary
United sank to a disappointing defeat despite enjoying substantial possession in a performance which raised more questions than answers.

Man of the Match
David Forde. Safe hands and a string of fine saves.

Ref Watch
Nield 6. A bit random with the cards, otherwise no complaints.

Soundtrack of the Day
Susanne Sundfor & John Grant “Mountaineers”