Stephen Wearne and Callum Whelan netted their first United goals in a massive home win for the Blues.
Mark Hughes made two changes from last weekend’s defeat to AFC Wimbledon as Stephen Wearne and Callum Whelan replaced Callum Guy and Joe Bevan.
Both players who returned to the side certainly made their mark as Wearne curled home exceptionally in the first-half, prior to Whelan seeing his strike find the net in the second 45 following a deflection.
The first chance of the contest fell to Michael Cheek following a deep free-kick, but he nodded off target at the Warwick Road End.
Kadeem Harris showed brilliant energy down United’s right soon after, finding a way around former Blues’ player, Harry McKirdy. His cross ultimately found Cameron Harper arriving on the far side, whose half-volley bounced into the ground and then into the arms of the ‘keeper.
On 13 minutes, Stephen Wearne opened his Carlisle account after curling into the bottom corner from the edge of the visitors’ area to give the hosts a much-needed lead.
Harris came agonisingly close to making it two after seeing his shot across goal crash against the base of the post whilst United enjoyed a lift in momentum following the first.
In the 10 minutes that followed the goal, Mark Hughes’ side had a plethora of chances but were unable to find their second.
Against the run of play it was Bromley who found the next goal of the game. Michael Cheek headed into the path of McKirdy, who lobbed Breeze to restore parity. The goalscorer was then shown a yellow card because of his celebrations in front of the Warwick Road End.
One minute before the break, United worked a neat short corner which eventually found Jordan Jones on the edge of the box, whose effort forced a great low save from Grant Smith.
HALF-TIME: United 1-1 Bromley
Robert Madley awarded a penalty to the Blues two minutes into the second-half, due to Dennis’ header connecting with Byron Webster’s arm, however, Harris couldn’t take advantage as his spot kick hit the post.
Jordan Jones’ whipped effort from distance came off the woodwork on 54 minutes, prior to Harris’ header being saved brilliantly by Grant Smith as the Blues started to apply plenty of pressure.
And that would be rewarded moments later as Callum Whelan’s low drive took a deflection off Jude Arthurs and rolled into the far corner to the delight of the majority inside of Brunton Park.
Just after the hour-mark, the Cumbrians went in search of a third through Dennis on the counter, his shot from 25-yards was pushed away and Archie Davies’ rebound flew wide.
Arthurs, whose touch diverted United’s second into the back of the net, should’ve levelled proceedings with 20 minutes left to play, however, his effort from close range was hammered straight over Breeze’s crossbar.
Some sensational defending followed as Cheek squared the ball to Nicke Kabamba with an open goal to shoot at, but Harper managed to scurry back and clear off the line - making what would be a game-defining clearance.
The only other notable chance in the dying embers fell to Corey Whitely, but he was unable to hit the target.
A massive three points secured on home soil ahead of another clash at Brunton Park on Tuesday night, this time against MK Dons.
FULL-TIME: United 2-1 Bromley
Teams:
United - Breeze, Davies, Thomas, Lavelle ©, Jones, Vela (70’ Guy), Dennis (81’ Kelly), Wearne (90+2’ Bevan), Harris, Whelan
Unused subs - Lewis, Ellis, Embleton, Fusire
Bromley - Smith, Elerewe, Charles (66’ Kabamba), Cheek, McKirdy (57’ Imray), Webster ©, Whitely, Arthurs, Ilunga (79’ Ifill), Thompson, Mayor
Unused subs - Long, Sowumni, Odutayo, Paul-Lavaly
Goals:
United - (13’ Wearne), (54’ Whelan)
Bromley - (28’ McKirdy)
Yellow cards:
United - (55’ Davies), (69’ Vela), (90+4’ Bevan)
Bromley - (28’ McKirdy), (47’ Webster), (69’ Mayor)
Red cards:
United - N/A
Bromley - N/A
Match officials:
Referee - Robert Madley
Assistant Referee - Matthew McGrath
Assistant Referee - Matthew Smith
Fourth Official - Karl Buckley
Attendance:
6,515 (208 away)
