Carlisle United 3-1 Bradford City (agg 3-2): Home side books spot in League Two play-off final
Carlisle United 3-1 Bradford City (agg 3-2): Ben Barclay’s extra-time header seals Wembley date with Stockport for Paul Simpson’s side in the League Two play-off final
- A Brad Halliday own goal kicked off Carlisle United’s attack in the match
- Goals from Anthony Guy and Matt Derbyshire tied the score until late goal
- Relive the action as Stockport knock out Salford City on penalties to reach the final
There is a flag in Brunton Park that reads ‘Simmo is our king’, next to a cartoon of manager Paul Simpson balancing a trophy on his head.
Sixteen years after guiding Carlisle from Conference to League One with successive promotions as player-manager, Simpson is just one game away from writing another remarkable chapter in a love story with his local club.
In front of 15,401 cheering fans, Carlisle cleared a first-leg deficit by beating Mark Hughes’ Bradford to book their place at Wembley next Sunday.
Brad Halliday’s early own goal tied the score before three goals in extra time – two for United – ended another play-off decisive.
Ben Barclay scored the winner in the 112th minute, although he will not be able to play Stockport next week as he is on loan from County.
Ben Barclay (center left) may have been Carlisle United’s hero of the hour, but he won’t be able to repeat this feat in the final
Owen Moxon (left) and Taylor Charters were hoisted in the air by fans after the home side booked their final against Stockport
Bradford City led the first leg 1–0 but failed to find the necessary equalizer to send the second leg to penalties
Callum Guy also receives credit for his goal in extra time, although it was canceled out by veteran striker Matt Derbyshire, 37, on a bad day for Bradford.
However, Carlisle-born manager Simpson is the real hero. He said, ‘Wow, they went to perform today.
‘I’m sweating buckets here because I’ve been through it myself!
‘I came back for this. The city and the club have teamed up to produce such a day and get us ready for next week.’
Callum Guy was the first Carlisle player on the side’s scoresheet after breaking the deadlock in the first half of extra time
But Matt Derbyshire (pictured) kept the visitors in the chase with an own goal 10 minutes later