Carlisle United 3, Norwich City 1

Nov 30 2009 The Journal

WHAT a difference a week makes. That was the opening gambit from Carlisle manager Greg Abbott after his side’s impressive FA Cup demolition of League One promotion hopefuls Norwich City.

He could barely contain his enthusiasm as he looked back on a week that had brought flowing football, two victories, seven goals and signs of theprogress that is needed as he heads towards the anniversary of his official appointment as first team manager. The Cumbrians can now also look forward to a third round trip to Premier League Everton in January.

“We have answered a lot of questions this week,” said Abbott. “We were really disappointed with the Swindon game last Saturday, but our reaction to it was important. We can be really pleased with ourselves after this one, because we have played well against a very good side.”

The tone of the performance was set as early as the 12th minute when a moment of improvisation from former-Stoke striker Vincent Pericard brought a goal that would add the wow factor to any game.

“I’ve only ever done something like that in training before now,” the big forward admitted. “It’s one of those where you try it and you are very pleased when it goes in.”

Carlisle threatened to run riot but they were pegged back as the Canaries temporarily found their wings, and the visitors capitalised on their dominant spell when Wes Hoolahan skipped into the area and put the ball on a plate for Carlisle-born goal-getter and self confessed United fan Grant Holt.

Keeper Adam Collin, making his first FA Cup appearance for the club, said: “It was good play from them, but we were obviously disappointed that we had let them back into it.

“It was a really quiet day for me so, other than that, it shows how well we played and defended.”