Festive joy as York City win 3-0 at Carlisle United in Sky Bet League Two

A comprehensive 3-0 win at Carlisle, courtesy of Josh Carson, Luke Summerfield and Michael Coulson goals, means the Minstermen’s performances on their travels can only be bettered by Wycombe, Southend, Newport and Burton at the season’s halfway point.

That quartet all currently occupy automatic promotion or play-off positions, while City’s latest triumph on the road moved Russ Wilcox’s men up to a much more modest 18th place.

Wilcox, who is unbeaten in six away league fixtures since taking over as City chief in mid-October, was keen to underplay the significance of the club’s first back-to-back victories and clean sheets since April in his post-match assessment at Brunton Park.

Following last season’s dramatic post-Christmas transformation from a lower standing than the club’s presently finds itself in, the City chief has warned against expectations of lightning striking twice and another rampaging push for the play-offs.

But the half-term statistics spell out a clear message.

City have accumulated five more away points than table-toppers Shrewsbury and, if the club can improve on their Bootham Crescent form, in the wake of their first home win of the campaign against Accrington on Boxing Day, then the portents for a happy new year seem strong.

After yesterday’s victory, only second-placed Wycombe have netted more times on their travels in League Two – a surprising accolade for a team who, prior to Wilcox’s arrival, struggled for any kind of potency and whose leading scorer Jake Hyde still only has six goals to his name.

Hyde was unfortunate not to add to his tally in Cumbria, having looked a goal threat from the first whistle.

But both he and strike partner Wes Fletcher ensured Carlisle’s defenders endured a torrid afternoon, paving the way for their team-mates to get their names on the scoresheet.

Carlisle were poor – really poor – but that should not detract from a City performance full of attacking invention and a steely determination that saw them not only win every 50-50 challenge but also many of those stacked 75-25 in the hosts’ favour.

The Cumbrians’ only goal attempt during the first hour saw Mark Kemp’s tame eighth-minute header saved at a comfortable height by Alex Cisak.

At the other end, Hyde shot wide with a smart shot on the turn from 20 yards and also called Carlisle net-minder Dan Hanford into a smart near-post save from his firm angled drive.

There were also other opportunities for Fletcher and recalled right-back Marvin McCoy, whilst an inswinging corner by Carson had to be clawed away from under his own crossbar by Hanford.

Skipper Russell Penn went on to fire across the face of goal from the edge of the penalty box before Carson gave the visitors a deserved lead.

The Northern Ireland international, who received a late recall to the starting XI after Diego De Girolamo withdrew during the pre-match warm-up, collected the ball at the far post after Femi Ilesnami’s right-footed cross from the left wing was headed on by Fletcher.

Unmarked and with time to control the ball, Carson’s shot into the ground was not the cleanest of strikes but it found Hanford’s bottom right-hand corner.

A Fletcher piledriver that flashed wide then almost doubled City’s advantage in first-half stoppage time.

Carlisle boss Keith Curle made a double substitution at the break but it made little difference with his team still outfought and outplayed.

Fletcher headed over on 50 minutes from a Summerfield cross and Carson also fired too high from distance.

After Cisak fumbled a little to keep out Beck’s downward header, Hanford’s over-elaborate flying save denied Summerfield from a free kick but the City midfielder only had to wait until the 68th minute to find the net.

Following a smart dummy by Coulson and determined play by Hyde, the ball broke loose to Summerfield, who calmly netted from 20 yards with a left-footed effort that curled inside Hanford’s right-hand upright.

On 81 minutes, Coulson provided the final flourish, exchanging passes with substitute Carlton Morris and Hyde before crashing a firm ten-yard finish into Hanford’s top left-hand corner.

Carlisle could have gone on to claim an ill-deserved consolation after Derek Asamoah beat Cisak to Beck’s downward header but he prodded wide from six yards as City bid a stylish farewell to 2014.

Match facts

Carlisle United 0, York City 3 (Carson 44; Summerfield 68; Coulson 81)

York City

Alex Cisak 7 – virtual spectator for long periods and was never fully stretched for clean sheet.

Marvin McCoy 8 – joined in attacking moves at every opportunity and defended resolutely.

Keith Lowe 9 – never put a foot wrong and read game immaculately to clear any danger.

Stephane Zubar 9 – showed strength and desire to win his battles with daunted opponents.

Femi Ilesanmi 7 – distribution was a little suspect during opening exchanges but forward willingness led to first goal.

Michael Coulson 8 – moved intelligently about the pitch and crashed in an unstoppable, well-worked goal.

Russell Penn 9 – bossed the middle of the park, crunching into hard but fair tackles and inspiring those around him.

Luke Summerfield STAR MAN 9 – married a strong work ethic with moments of quality, typified by excellent goal.

Josh Carson 8 – in the right place at the right time to get the ball rolling on 44 minutes, ensuring team took much-deserved lead into interval.

Jake Hyde 8 – energy, hold-up play and early shots on goal set tone for an enterprising start.

Wes Fletcher 8 – battled away and gave home defenders a difficult afternoon with his determination.

Subs: Carlton Morris (for Fletcher, 76), Lindon Meikle (for Carson, 84), Lewis Montrose (for Penn, 88). Not used: Jason Mooney, John McCombe, Tom Platt.

Carlisle United

Dan Hanford, Connor Brown, Courtney Meppen-Walter, Tom Anderson, Danny Grainger, David Amoo (Connor Hammell, 46), Antony Sweeney (David Symington, 79), Kyle Dempsey, Brad Potts (Steven Rigg, 46), Mark Beck, Derek Asamoah. Subs not used: Paul Thirlwell, Patrick Brough, Sean O’Hanlon, Danny Eccles.

Star man: Beck – strong aerially.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Durham).

Rating: 8/10 – gave little cause for complaint.

Booked: Dempsey 80.

Attendance: 5,716 (592 from City).

Shots on target: Carlisle 2, City 7.

Shots off target: Carlisle 2, City 7.

Corners: Carlisle 2, City 8.

Fouls conceded: Carlisle 10, City 6.

Offsides: Carlisle 5, City 3.