Rosenior turns tide as Bristol City sail off with silverware

Bristol City 2 Carlisle United

Liam Rosenior inspired Bristol City's LDV Vans Trophy final victory over Carlisle yesterday with a show of blistering pace, but attributed his success to learning to put the brakes on.

The 18-year-old striker had trials with West Ham and Chelsea last season but has yet to earn a regular starting place in Danny Wilson's side. But he proved he had the guile to match his speed with a match-winning display in Cardiff.

After coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute, Rosenior set up Lee Peacock's opening goal before scoring himself to give City their second win in four final appearances.

"I used to go bombing around all the time but I've learned to slow down and calm down instead," he said. "I've learned to use my brain. I had a weird feeling if I came on I would score but we were doing fine without me on the pitch. We ground Carlisle down and I thought our fitness was going to tell anyway. When 40,000 fans are cheering you on the only important thing is to win."

Rosenior took 15 minutes to turn the game, streaking through a tired Carlisle defence to force the goalkeeper, Matt Glennon, into a parry which fell kindly for Peacock to finish. He then crowned his display by redirecting Scott Murray's cross over the line in the dying moments.

Wilson admitted Rosenior's runs had terrified the Third Division strugglers, and he said that the son of the former City player Leroy would now be knocking down his door for a regular starting berth. "He's in a situation where he's on the cusp of playing on a regular basis and I'm sure he'll start asking me to play every game," Wilson said. "His great asset is his pace and he did what I asked him to. It was a tremendous contribution from him."

Both clubs had won the trophy before, and they looked evenly matched from the outset despite the 41 Football League places dividing them. Between them they have reached the final seven times, but City went into this match as firm favourites courtesy of their current position in the Second Division play-off places.

A combination of nerves and committed defending meant chances were at a premium despite City gradually exerting their authority on the game.

Even the beaten Carlisle manager, Roddy Collins, praised Rosenior's contribution, admitting his introduction was the turning point as legs began to tire. He said: "The injection of pace he brought to the game was the winning factor. He dragged us around the park. The minute he came on he changed it.

"We rushed it in the first half and didn't take our chances. My players didn't drop their heads when the first goal went in but it became more difficult.

"When you're up against a team looking to get out of the Second Division it's always going to be difficult."

Goals: Peacock (78) 1-0; Rosenior (89) 2-0.

Bristol City (4-4-2): Phillips; Carey, Butler, Coles, Bell (Hill, 85); Murray, Burnell, Doherty, Tinnion (Brown, 81); Roberts (Rosenior, 62), Peacock. Substitutes not used: Stowell, Beadle.

Carlisle (4-4-2): Glennon; Shelley, Raven, Kelly (Maddison, 80), Murphy; McCarthy, Green, Summerbell (McDonagh, 85), Rundle; Foran, Farrell (Wake, 75). Substitutes not used: Russell, McGill.

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).

Bookings: Bristol City: Burnell. Carlisle: Kelly, Foran.

Man of the Match: Rosenior.

Attendance: 50,913.