Carlisle United Football Club

Carlisle United v Colchester United, Saturday 18 February, kick off 3pm

Match Sponsor - Top Notch

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Associate Sponsor - Gordons Construction

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Match Ball Sponsor - AP&J Brown

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Just one defeat in the last nine league games has helped to turn things round dramatically for the U's - part of the improvement seen since Matt Bloomfield replaced Wayne Brown at the end of September.

They've also been very impressive on the road, having won their last five away games.

The January run earned Bloomfield the manager of the month award, which was part of a busy month as he was given the green light to add to the squad.

O's defender Connor Wood was first in on a loan deal, and Stevenage midfielder Arthur Read penned an 18-month contract the following day.

Fiacre Kelleher then came permanently from Bradford, and striker Matt Jay was purchased for an undisclosed fee from Exeter.

Another long-term deal was agreed with Lincoln forward Tom Hopper, and defender Will Greenidge left West Ham to head to Colchester, again for two-and-a-half years.

The business was completed when Arsenal keeper Tom Smith joined for the remainder of the season.

Tuesday night saw the U's held to a largely uneventful goalless draw by Walsall at home - but the stubborn streak continued.

Former Imp Tom Hopper got his first for his new club in the 1-0 away win at Grimsby last Saturday, and he's the kind of forward that's going to cause problems in League Two.

Strong, agile and experienced, he's one who will look to work with back to goal and get into the box as much as possible.

Click HERE to purchase a match pass which will allow you to listen to this game via our streaming iFollow service.

With match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through the season.

Match audio passes are available for ALL EFL league games - click HERE to find out more about this season’s iFollow United service.

Noah Chilvers scored early for the hosts but Kris Dennis levelled things up just before the break, and that's how it ended when United went to Colchester in August 2022.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

It was a game that sprung to life in the second half down in Essex in February 2022 when Omari Patrick gave the away side the lead. That was quickly turned on its head with quickfire strikes from Tommy Smith and Tyreik Wright, but a point was claimed when Tobi Sho-Silva struck back with four minutes left to go.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The opening day of the 2021/22 season brought Colchester to Brunton Park and the teams slugged out a 0-0 stalemate in the summer sunshine.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Jon Mellish scored just before the half hour to put United in front in Essex in March 2021 but Callum Harriott turned things round with a brace to help his side to a much needed win.

Oh, and it was foggy!

You can try to watch the highlights from that game here:

The U's were at Brunton Park in October 2020 where goals from Lewis Alessandra and Jon Mellish put the hosts two goals to the good. Luke Norris netted a brace to level things up, but Aaron Hayden struck late to keep the points in Cumbria.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Colchester's visit to Brunton Park in March 2020 saw them pick up a 3-0 victory as they maintained their push for a top seven spot.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

We were at their place just before Christmas in 2019 and it was a day where Colchester took their chances and claimed the victory.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The February meeting during the 2018/19 season brought a hard-fought draw, with Hallam Hope giving the Blues the lead just after half time. The U's upped their game and they got their reward with an equaliser from Frankie Kent with just six minutes left to play.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Colchester were at Brunton Park just before Christmas that season for a game that went the way of the home side thanks to a blistering second half display. Hallam Hope had set the tone with a goal just before the break, and Jerry Yates, Jamie Devitt and Danny Grainger wrapped things up as they hit the back of the net in a second period which was all about the Blues.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The first meeting of these teams during the 17/18 season was for our October visit to Essex. It was a tight game, with both sides creating good chances, but a superb finish from Jamie Devitt proved to be the difference when he got on the end of a long ball forward before calmly slotting it beneath Walker's dive to find the bottom corner.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Back up at Brunton Park in February 2018 and Courtney Senior gave the visitors the upper hand with a well taken goal just before the break. The Blues came out for the second half in determined mood and Jamie Devitt pounced once more to claim a point for his side with just 10 minutes left on the clock.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Referee - Neil Hair
Assistant Referee 1 - Andrew Dallison
Assistant Referee 2 - Robert Merchant
Fourth Official - Matt Corlett
Observer - Michael Pike

Our referee for this game is Mr Neil Hair.

Neil has taken charge of 19 games so far this season and has shown 70 yellow cards and six reds. 

We first met him back in October 2018 when we drew 2-2 at Sincil Bank. Ashley Nadesan twice put the away side ahead but Michael O'Connor and Bruno Andrade bagged for the Imps, with all four goals coming in the first half. No names were taken on the night. 

He was the man in the middle for our away game at Mansfield in December 2021. Stephen McLaughlin scored with just six minutes on the clock and that proved to be the only goal of the game. No Carlisle names were taken that day.

Tickets for this fixture are on sale now.

Methods of purchase:

• In person – come to the main ticket office at the designated time.
• Phone – ring the ticket office 03300 945 930 option 1 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.
• Internet – buy online HERE

Please note - persons under the age of 14 MUST be accompanied by an adult. Minors under the age of 14 will not be permitted entrance and parents / guardians will be called to collect the child and escort them from the premises.

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