HUGHES’ FIRST HOME WIN GIVES BLUES SOME BREATHING ROOM

By Douglas Boyle

CARLISLE U 2

BROMLEY 1

Wearne 13, Whelan 54

Cheek 28

CARLISLE: Breeze 6, Davies 7, Lavelle 7, Thomas 7, Harper 7, Vela BROMLEY: Smith 7, Whitely 7, Elerewe 7, Webster 6, Mayor 7, 6 (Guy 70, 6), Whelan 7, Harris 7, Wearne 8 (Bevan 90), Jones Arthurs 6, Charles 6 (Kabamba 66, 6), McKirdy 7 (Imray 57, 7), 7, Dennis 8 (Kelly 81, 6). Subs not used: Lewis, Ellis, Embleton, Thompson 7, Ilunga 7 (Ifill 78, 6), Cheek 7. Subs not used: Long, Fusire. Sowunmi, Odutayo, Paul-Lavely. Att: 6,515 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Robert Madley 6/10

MARK Hughes was thrilled to get his first home win as Carlisle manager, as the Blues claimed victory over Bromley to reignite their battle to stay in the Football League.

Stephen Wearne and Callum Whelan both got their first goals since making the move to Cumbria in January, despite Bromley hitting back through former Carlisle man Harry McKirdy, who received a frosty reception from the home faithful throughout.

Hughes said: “I thought we were excellent, I was really pleased for the lads, I thought they put a huge shift in. We showed good quality and were brave in and out of possession too.

“Maybe we’ve been questioned about whether we have the ability to put in a performance like that and we’ve proved a lot of people wrong.”

Carlisle took the lead through Wearne when he curled in a lovely strike after some nice link-up play from Matthew Dennis.

Bromley then equalised through former Carlisle man McKirdy, who lobbed the onrushing Gabe Breeze after a good ball from Michael Cheek.

Just moments after the break, Carlisle were awarded a penalty when a Dennis shot was blocked by Byron Webster’s hand in the six-yard box, but Kadeem Harris hit a post from the spot.

Carlisle continued to knock on the door as Jordan Jones hit the crossbar, while Harris’ header on the rebound was excellently saved by Grant Smith.

However, the Blues got the goal they deserved when Wearne turned provider as his ball found Whelan, whose low shot was deflected ed into the bottom right corner to give him his first Carlisle goal.

The Ravens missed two huge es to equalise when Jude chanc-Arthurs pounced on a defensive mix-up, but he blazed a shot over the bar and then Cameron Harper cleared a Nicke Kabamba effort off the line just moments later.

Cheek had a huge chance to equalise late on, but League Two’s joint-top scorer missed the target and Carlisle took all Carlisle three points. Frustrated Andy Woodman admitted his playoff hopefuls Bromley “weren’t good enough”.

“It was a tough one to take,” he said, “but you’ve got to respect the league.

“Carlisle are fighting for their lives and are in a position they shouldn’t really be in given the size of their budget and the size of their squad.”