I don't think we can really have much in the way of criticism about the team - 4-1 still feels unjust given how we played and the run of the match. If we'd got another goal at almost any point it seemed like maybe we could have really shaken them up.
For me the only slightly sour note was the decision to drop Quade and Conners who've both had a decent run of form in favour of the new signings. Maybe it's misplaced loyalty on my part but given what they've both done to get us to the 1st round I think they deserved their moment on TV. I can't help but think about how gutted they must both have been
It was a certainly a big call to drop Taylor and Connors for the two debutants. A bit like leaving Marc Weatherstone and Kenny Beaney on the bench for the promotion play-offs. Obviously we got over the line on that occasion, which is all that matters in these one-off games. I thought both newcomers did well enough, though whether or not the established pair could have made a difference we'll never know of course. I wasn't surprised with the switch in formation and Orlu & Monakana being recalled, but I felt Taylor could have slotted in nicely at number 4 which is his best position for me. However the manager has earned the right to make these big calls. It would have been a very easy option not to bring in those two players and none of us would have been any the wiser. I'm sure he must have thought very carefully about it.
The margin of defeat does seem harsh, but at the same time you could argue that we were tactically naïve. Carlisle's game management probably outweighs the fact that we had the better of the possession. They were clearly happy to let us have time and space in the middle third and hit us on the break, it's not like we were overrunning them. The timing of the goals was the real killer. The first one looked terrible from behind the goal where it was scored, badly exposed at the back by a clearance form one of our own corners, so behind after less than ten minutes. I was just thinking "we're doing alright here, just get to half time at 0-1 and we can give it a real go" when they scored the second one. Bath were a good counterattacking side last weekend, but the speed and precision with which Carlisle thrust into the box and finished their chances was a level above what we normally encounter. Great goal to get us back in with a chance four minutes after half time. if we'd kept it at 2-1 until the final ten minutes then let a couple more in it would have felt like we'd given them a tougher contest, but it only took them another five minutes to restore their two goal cushion with a fantastic strike out of nothing. The final goal was a bit of an irrelevance, but very well taken.
Team (4-3-3): Grainger - McCoy, Orlu, C.Smith, N.Smith - Dempsey, Chapman, Vose - Yusuff, Mills, Monakana. Subs: Clunis (for Monakana), Akinyemi (for Yusuff), Hunte (for Orlu), Taylor, Connors, Ijaha, Edwards (not used).
Attendance: 3,301 (ground record)
