Carlisle had a rendezvous with le ancient regime Formby from terre de scouse. With an allons-y from the umpires the Cumbrians were soon the recipients of their adversaries opening barrage with badinage as they sought to gain an advantage.

Carlisle soon responded en route avant-garde and after winning a short corner scored through la grande banana Bex.

Anchored by the home side’s twin Eiffel towers Anna and Rachael the Cumbrians created further chances with their leading agent provocateur Hattie rattling the post twice.

Although Carlisle were without Nic who was hors de combat they played laissez- faire without being blasé.

But “sacre bleu”! Formby found some zest and surprised the Cumbrians by equalising and much to the home team’s dismay took the lead following a faux pas in the Carlisle defence.This had been hard to envisage bearing in mind that the opportunities had been at the other end of the pitch.

The Cumbrians were stung into reaction and brought the scores level. A shot from their own short corner ricocheted to grateful recipient Freya who shot home from close range.

So the sides were level at the interval. Conscious of Carlisle’s par avion attacks Formby started the second half by concentrating on restricting the home team’s space. When Carlisle looked as if they might break through the visitors’ sweeping concierge neutralised the danger.
In the last fifteen minutes Formby became bolder and the game began to fluctuate from end to end. Home keeper Kristian was required to get her fuselage in the way of some of the visitors’ attempts on goal.

In the last five minutes Formby ramped up the pressure and with two minutes to go found their champagne moment. Carlisle were trapped in a cul-de-sac in their own corner and their opponents massaged the ball into the “D”for femme fatale Christina Cullen to slot home what proved to be the game’s winner.

Quel dommage for Carlisle and bon voyage for Formby.