LIFE WITHOUT Michael Bridges began for Carlisle United with them providing answers to most questions posed by the controversial sale of the forward to Hull City.
On the field, they still look in decent shape. Off it, they must decide how to reinvest the £325,000 paid for the 28-year-old last week. The closing of the transfer window prevents any immediate permanent replacement, but the club are in no rush. “A minority of supporters are impatient,” Fred Story, the Carlisle owner, said. “We want to take our time signing the right player.”
Matt Jansen, the former Blackburn Rovers forward who launched his career at Brunton Park a decade ago and who becomes a free agent next month when his contract with New York Red Bulls, the American club, expires, would be a popular addition. Not that Carlisle looked short of goals as they continued to acclimatise to Coca-Cola League One at the expense of a team who went up with them last season.
Kevin Gall maintained his impressive start since joining from Yeovil Town in the summer with his fourth goal of the season after 27 minutes, heading in Simon Hackney’s cross.
Karl Hawley applied a right-foot finish to a cross by Derek Holmes just before half-time to double the lead.
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Carlisle United (4-4-2): K Westwood — D Raven, K Gray, P Murphy, Z Aranalde — P Murray, C Lumsdon, S Hackney (sub: L Joyce, 84min), K Hawley — D Holmes, K Gall. Substitutes not used: A Williams, D Livesey, P Arnison, S Hindmarch. Booked: Murphy. FORM WDWLDW NEXT Northampton (h)
Cheltenham Town (4-5-1): S Higgs — J Gill, G Caines, J Victory, C Armstrong — J Melligan, J Finnigan, S Guinan, A Connolly (sub: S Yao, 46), M Bell (sub: M Wylde, 46) — K Odejayi. Substitutes: S Brown, A Gallinagh, S Foley. FORM LWLLWW NEXT Huddersfield (h)