West set off on the 68 mile journey to Carlisle on Saturday, the longest league journey of the season. Carlisle City were 10th in the league before the game, playing 13, winning 6, drawing 2 and losing 5, picking up 7 points in their last 3 games. The same fixture last season ended in a 2-2 draw.

West were missing midfielder Layton Watts, and Defender Gary Brown through suspension. Lewis Ritson, Joey Hope and James Harrison all came into the starting eleven. West had a couple early chances, the first going wide, but the second resulted in the opening goal of the game. With only 6 minutes gone, James Harrison scored his 7th goal of the season. Carlisle were forced into an early change, Keighran Kerr replacing Romeo Park after 15 minutes due to an injury to Park. Joey Hope had a chance to increase the lead, his shot going wide. Shortly after, Jermaine Metz had another chance for West, this time being stopped by City goalkeeper Scott Simons. With 20 minutes gone, Carlisle had two CJ Andes of their own.  First, Jacob Simpson with a free-kick that was stopped by West’s Nick Liversedge. Then, Carlisle forward Jordan Irving had a cross that was again managed well by Liversedge. West had enough chances in the first half to increase the lead. Anthony Bell had a free-kick saved by Simons, and Lewis Ritson’s header went wide. West went into half-time one goal to the good, but failed to capitalise on chances to further improve the scoreline.

Carlisle came out in the second half in similar fashion to West in the first. It only took 5 minutes for the home side to level the game. Substitute Keighran Kerr got the goal, and from there, Carlisle looked to build on the momentum they built early in the second half. They had a further two chances, a corner which was dealt with by the West defense, and then a header which was saved well by Liversedge. On 72 minutes, Adam Mitchell came on to replace goalscorer James Harrison. Kerr was involved again shortly after, his shot saved again by Liversedge. Then, Carlisle’s Kieron Blair found Jordan Irving, who had a great chance to increase City’s lead, only for the shot to go wide of the post. Carlisle were pressing, and they had a huge opportunity to increase the lead and win the game in the 80th minute. A foul in the Carlisle box resulted in the referee blowing his whistle for a penalty. Jordan Irving stepped up, and blazed it over the bar. A lucky escape for West. The game ended 1-1. It was a game of two halves, West with more chances in the first, but Carlisle will feel frustrated not to have taken all three points after their opportunities in the second. Three league draws in a row now for West, with Birtley Town up next.

We spoke to Liam Hegarty after the final whistle, who gave his thoughts on the draw with Carlisle. 

“We started the game in good fashion, with scoring the early goal and controlling the first 30 minutes of the game. Fair play to Carlisle they came out 2nd half changed there shape and caused us some really problems. In the end we’ve been lucky to come away with the point. We have to take the positives from the opening 30 minutes and improve on certain aspects of our performance from today and put it right on Friday against Birtley.”

Full-Time: Carlisle City 1-1 West Auckland Town

Competition: Northern League Division One

Attendance: 110

Match Report by Phil Dodds.