Carlisle made their way to the Manchester metropolis to take on league leaders Didsbury Northern. The day had developed into a warm afternoon not hot but warm pleasantly so.

Carlisle began with the push back. A strong spearing through ball from Holly was collected by a Northern defender deep in her own half and then bang, bang, bang and bang. The last bang was the searing sound of the ball striking the Cumbrians' backboard shortly after fast flowing move from the Didsbury side leaving keeper Kristian draped on the turf staring at the Mancunian sky after her vain attempt to prevent the last bang.

Carlisle were a bit bewitched and bewildered but not unduly bothered and started again as if nothing had occurred in the intervening somnolent seconds. The “bench” ruminated and reflected that the next sixty nine minutes might feel like a long, perhaps very long afternoon for the Cumbrians. But no! Carlisle proceeded to engage their opposition with vigour, distupting their opponents flow and creating passing movements of their own.

For nearly half an hour Didsbury failed to create any meaningful opportunities whilst Carlisle prompted by Bex, Rachael and Nic in midfield gave as good as they got.

Just before half time Didsbury scored from only their second short corner of the game and added a third goal on the cusp of the interval.
Carlisle had played well but were undone by clinical finishing from the Manchester team. They had played the whole of the first half with their starting eleven. They had been expecting the arrival of Katie renowned for her perpetual motion on the pitch but had been becalmed by the Manchester traffic. When the question was asked about her whereabouts she appeared like an apparition as the second half started. After a few frantic minutes given to allow her to gather herself she entered the fray for the long suffering Leah.

This heralded a period when the Cumbrians looked much more threatening. They forced several short corners and from one of these Carlisle reduced the arrears with a powerful pile driver from Amy. With their tails up the Cumbrians went in search of subsequent spoils. With ten minutes left on the clock Katie burst clear and set up the returned Leah in front of goal. Her shot was well saved by the home keeper.

This incident stung Northern who must have thought that their seemingly serene lead was in jeopardy. They responded with two very late goals to give them a flattering score line based on the balance of play.