Doing the Job

That was the clear assessment of Argyle manager Derek Adams, after watching his side lose their Emirates FA Cup first round tie 2-0 to Carlisle United. 

After Antony Sweeney’s acrobatic opener on 23 minutes, loanee Hallam Hope scored his first Carlisle goal four minutes before the break, to put Argyle at a two-goal deficit for just the fourth time this season. 

The visitors successfully prevented the Pilgrims from playing their natural game for most of the match, and Adams was quick to praise the Cumbrians for nullifying his team, that have wreaked havoc on many teams already this season. 

“You’ve got to give credit to Carlisle,” said Derek. “They took their time on the ball, they got players behind the ball, and they were professional in the way they won the game. 

“They went into a 2-0 lead and they were able to see it out. They did a good job on us – that’s what they did. They stopped us playing and they committed fouls. We’ve got to realise that we’re going to come up against teams like Carlisle that are going to be stubborn. They’re going to break up play and be professional, and that’s what they’ve done. 

“They haven’t troubled Luke McCormick in the game; I don’t think he’s had a save to make, but their goalkeeper hasn’t had a save to make either. Both goalkeepers weren’t worked in the game. Luke was because he picked the ball out of the net twice, but other than that, there wasn’t a lot of shots on target. 

“When I look at Carlisle, I think they’re a very good side. They have a number of players who’ve come in there and done really well. It was a tough match, and they made it a difficult match for us.

“I’m not going to make any excuses. We’ve gone out of the cup, Carlisle have won 2-0, and as I say, they’ve done a very good job.”