United’s first defeat of pre-season came in Rochdale, despite a second-half strike from Dan Butterworth.
Kairo Mitchell broke the deadlock shortly before the break, firing home from close range following a low cross from Harvey Gilmour, prior to Aaron Henry curling a free-kick into the top corner.
Dan Butterworth pulled a goal back for United on 72 minutes, shortly after entering the action, but it wouldn't be enough for the Blues to get back into the contest.
United’s first chance came on five minutes. A deep free-kick was cleared by the hosts, before Ethan Robson lashed over from the edge of the area.
Fellow midfielder Harrison Neal had an opportunity to open the scoring a few minutes later. A short goal kick was intercepted by the Blues, prior to falling to Neal, whose rushed attempt went wide.
Devante Rodney should’ve broken the deadlock on 14 minutes following an error from Aaron Hayden, but the attacker’s strike crashed against the post and was then cleared by the aforementioned defender.
The friendly then entered a lull for 10 minutes. Robson looked to create the next chance, delivering an inviting cross from the right, but no teammates were able to get on the end of it.
Carlisle looked to make what was a precautionary change just after the half-hour mark as Ethan Robson was withdrawn, being replaced by Dylan McGeouch.
Josh Vela was the first player to be shown a yellow card following a strong challenge on Harvey Gilmour on 33 minutes.
The Blues continued their search for the first goal of the game as we entered the final seven minutes of the first-half. Aaron Hayden and Jon Mellish saw efforts go off target and saved, respectively.
Kairo Mitchell scored the opening goal on 41 minutes. It was a great run by midfielder Harvey Gilmour, before he lifted his head and put the ball on a plate for the attacker, who tapped home from point-blank range.
HALF-TIME: Rochdale 1-0 United
Aaron Henry doubled the hosts’ advantage shortly after the interval. Rochdale’s number five superbly wrapped a free-kick from the edge of the area into the top corner.
After Luke Armstrong became the first switch at the start of the second 45, United also introduced Taylor Charters, Jack Ellis and Ben Barclay on 60 minutes as they looked to find their way back into the game.
Before making three further changes six minutes later - Gabe Breeze, Dan Butterworth and Freddie O’Donoghue entered the fray.
On 72 minutes, newly-introduced Butterworth had United back into the contest. After receiving the ball on the left, he twisted and turned, before firing home an effort which crashed off the near post on the way in.
Trialist B looked to restore Rochdale’s two-goal advantage on 78 minutes, but Breeze made a great low save.
The Blues’ confidence grew after getting a goal back and they continued working hard for the leveller - the next chance came on 87 minutes as a cross was delivered towards the far post, but Luke Armstrong was unable to connect.
Terell Thomas was forced to exit the game through injury as we ticked onto 90 minutes - Carlisle had previously made all of their changes meaning there was no replacement for the centre-back.
FULL-TIME: Rochdale 2-1 United
Teams:
Rochdale - McNicholas, Gordon (85’ Henderson), Henry (62’ East), Ebanks-Landell ©, Allarakhia (73’ Barlow), Gilmour (90’ Trialist A), Mitchell (85’ Ferguson), Rodney (62’ Alfa), Adebayo-Rowling (73’ Trialist B), McBride (73’ Armstrong), Beckwith (90’ Edwards)
Unused subs - Kelly, Burgess
Carlisle United - Lewis (66’ Breeze), Davies (60’ Ellis), Harper (60’ Charters), Thomas (90’ withdrawn - no replacement), Hayden (61’ Barclay), Robson (31’ McGeouch), Kelly (46’ Armstrong), Wyke © (66’ O’Donoghue), Vela (66’ Butterworth), Neal (73’ Lavelle), Mellish
Unused sub - Smith
Match officials:
Referee - Ben Wyatt
Assistant Referee - Anthony Moore
Assistant Referee - Mark Bates
Fourth Official - Declan Brown
Attendance:
975 (230 away)
