Match Report: Carlisle United 5 Boston United 2
FA CUP FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUND
CARLISLE UNTED 5
BOSTON UNITED 2
Carlisle United progressed into the first round of the FA Cup with an impressive victory over National League rivals Boston United despite a shaky start to the second half.
Carlisle found themselves three up inside the first 16 minutes with goals from David Ajiboye, Josh Grant, and Luke Armstrong. Boston started the second-half strong with two quick goals from Kieran Donnelly and Lennell John-Lewis. A brace from Conn-Clarke then put the game to bed for the home side.
Blues manager Mark Hughes made eight changes for this FA Cup fourth round qualifying tie, with Chris Conn-Clarke making his much-anticipated debut for the Cumbrian club. The National League Player of the Year in 2023/24 joined on loan in mid-week.
The home side started quickly, opening the scoring 7 minutes in. Ajiboye spun round his marker to receive a brilliant pass from Josh Williams before finding the bottom corner with a superb curling finish.
They came close to doubling their advantage just a minute later. Conn-Clarke’s corner found Morgan Feeney storming in at the back post. His header was destined for the net, only for Zak Mills to head it clear.
New boy Conn-Clarke’s quality was shining through with his set-piece deliveries. 14 minutes in and a low cross found Grant who was able to divert it through a crowd of players in the six-yard box.
Two minutes later Williams skilfully beat his defender before playing a beautiful ball from the right-hand side behind the visitors defence. Armstrong got goal-side of his marker and finished it emphatically to cap off a dominant opening period for the Blues.
Boston came out of the interval looking to get back into the game and did so through half-time substitute Donnelly. His first touch of the game resulted in a goal inside the first minute of play. He met a looping Marcel Lavinier cross to lift the spirits of the away fans.
Three minutes later the visitors scored again to get themselves back in the tie as veteran Lennel John-Lewis glanced a header into the bottom corner from Frankie Maguire’s corner.
Maguire came close to levelling the score as he found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Harry Lewis, only for his shot to fire straight at the Carlisle shot-stopper.
Conn-Clarke put the home supporters nerves at ease on the hour mark when he was found by Callum Whelan, caressing the ball into the bottom left-corner to open his account for the club.
The new man was on the score sheet again in the 79th minute; picking up a loose ball and turning on goal. Rhys Lovett could only get a hand to his curling effort from outside the box before it found the net.
Carlisle United: (Formation) – Lewis; Murray, Hayden, Feeney, Williams; Ellis (Hetherington 83’), Grant, Whelan (Jones 71’) ; Conn-Clarke (Davies 83’), Armstrong (Kelly 71’), Ajiboye (Gillead 83’).
Unused subs: Breeze (GK), Davies, Linney,.
Boston United: (Formation) – Lovett; Lankshear (Kelly 85’), Mills, Teale, Lavinier (Grist 85’); Carson, Slogget (Coyle 75’), Hill; Waldock (Donnelly 45’), Maguire; John-Lewis (Hiwula 75’).
Unused subs: Jones (GK), Hampson.
Entertainment – (4/5 stars)
Star Man – Chris Conn-Clarke – two goals on his debut capped off a showcase of his quality.
