BIG MATCH PREVIEW: United make the long journey to Crawley

Long away day for the Blues at the weekend

20 December 2018

United face one of the longest trips of the season this weekend as they head south to take on Crawley Town.

The Red Devils have been on a tough run of late, with just one win from their last ten outings in all competitions, giving new manager Gabriele Cioffi [appointed in September] a harsh introduction to life in League Two.

December defeats to Northampton and Macclesfield have done little to lighten the mood, with goals difficult to come by in both of those fixtures. Better news came in October when long-serving captain Jimmy Smith signed a contract extension, but the current run has seen the club tumble down the table, and nobody is hiding away at the Broadfield Stadium from the fact that results are the most important ingredient missing at the moment.

The ever reliable Ollie Palmer is, as always, one to watch. His season tally so far is 11 goals and two assists, confirming his reputation as a livewire in the final third. Filipe Morais also deserves a mention with four goals and two assists to his name.

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Handy information from Crawley Town ...

Away tickets can be bought on the night from the ticket office, for those fans who are paying by card. However, if wishing to pay with cash, tickets are available in the Ticket Cabin at the top of the car park, and also in Redz bar.

Broadfield Stadium

Additionally, we would like to offer Carlisle supporters the opportunity to visit our Redz Bar (situated by our South Stand) before the match. This is open to both home and away supporters and offers a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and light refreshments.

Car Parking - We kindly ask that any disabled supporter requiring a car parking space contacts us direct, prior to their arrival. We do have a very limited number of car park spaces for sale on the day of the game, but this is on a first come first served basis.

Cars are priced at £5 per vehicle. If supporter minibuses / coaches are booked in with the club prior to the day of the game, they will be free of charge. If not they will be charged at £20 per minibus / coach.

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Manager’s thoughts ...

John Sheridan Speaking ahead of the weekend game, the manager said: "The result last Saturday will have given everyone confidence but I keep saying that what we won't do is get carried away.

"We played well, but this is a completely different game. They'll be hurting following their result at Macclesfield and I have no doubt Gabriele Cioffi will be looking for a reaction. That's why we can't lose concentration.

"We have to take every fixture and opponent on their merits and Crawley have had some good results this season. They're another side who can beat anybody on their day but we know, as we've shown on a number of occasions, that we can match any team in this division when we're on our game.

"It's a long journey, but we'll prepare properly and we'll make sure the lads are ready for what will be a tough encounter. Hopefully the confidence picked up from the clinical edge we found against Colchester will stand us in good stead."

Fancy a flutter on the game? Bet responsibly with our official betting partner and title sponsor Sky Bet by clicking HERE.

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Did You Know?

+ Crawley managed to stay in the Conference despite receiving point deductions in three of their seven seasons in the league.

+ The Red Devils reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup in 2010, where they were narrowly beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Sean O'Driscoll

+ Sean O’Driscoll was appointed Crawley manager in 2012, but left after only four days to take over at Nottingham Forest.

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Head to Head

These sides have met on a total of 12 occasions over the years, with the Red Devils having only notched up two victories to their name thus far.

	Carlisle wins	Draws	Crawley wins
League	5	5	2
Total	5	5	2

We went to Crawley in September last season and, having weathered an onslaught through the first half, where the Red Devils created numerous chances, we struck after the break when Nicky Adams curled a beauty of a cross to the back post. Hallam Hope lost his man and thundered a great header into the back of the net. It was ultimately the goal that won the game.

Watch the highlights from that game here ...

Back up at Brunton Park in March and the Blues opened the scoring with a thundering and unstoppable volley from Richie Bennett from the angle of the 18-yard box early in the game. United doubled their advantage in the second half when a scramble inside the six-yard area was finished off by a header from Hallam Hope. Karlan Grant wiped the smiles off home faces when he drilled a shot in from just inside the area a few minutes later, and the same player earned his team a point when a 20-yard shot somehow squirmed past keeper Jack Bonham with just under 10 minutes left to play.

Watch the highlights from that game here ...

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Man in the middle

Nick Kinseley Our referee for this game is Mr Nicholas Kinseley. Mr Kinseley has been in charge of 13 games so far this season showing 37 yellow cards and two reds.

We last saw him in March this year when a Jamie Devitt penalty earned us the three points at Whaddon Road. The Blues deserved the victory, but a tense affair saw Mark Ellis, Richie Bennett, Luke Joyce and Jamie Devitt go into the book. Both sides had late chances to score, but the Blues dug deep to see it through.

Referee – Nicholas Kinseley
Assistant Referee 1 – Michael Webb
Assistant Referee 2 – Bhupinder Gill
Fourth Official – Paul Kelly

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Ticket information

Click HERE for full ticket information.

Click HERE to purchase your tickets online.

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Match Reports

MATCH REPORT: Red Devils 2 - 3 United

Report from the Saturday afternoon away game

22 December 2018

It was one of the longest trips of the season for United this weekend as they made the journey to Crawley for their latest League Two fixture.

The game started slowly as both sides battled for the upper hand but Parkes had to be on his toes with just five minutes on the clock when Poleon broke into the box. A toe poke from the defender allowed Collin to drop down to smother the danger.

But Crawley bagged the lead on eight minutes when a huge clearance from defence dropped behind Gerrard. The bounce allowed Poleon to take control and he strode forward to pick his spot.

Collin was in action again when Gambin ghosted in from the right to shoot from the edge of the area. It had power but the keeper was well placed to stop it.

United thought they'd equalised when Devitt used a short-corner routine to create a better angle for a cross. Morris got a touch when it curled at him, but it fell nicely for Parkes to volley. He caught it well but the keeper got enough on it, as he dived low, to divert it behind.

Good football followed from the Blues as they kept the ball well in the middle area. Grainger overlapped and his low cross was just an inch behind Hope as he made his way into the box.

The Cumbrians deservedly equalised when a great ball into the box from the left flank was touched on by Morris. Nadesan smashed a fierce volley through bodies and Jerry Yates was there to make it two goals in two games as he nodded the rebound into the empty net from close range.

Carlisle came again moments later when Yates beat the offside trap to bear down on goal. Morris stayed big to make a good block, but Devitt nicked possession to spark another attack. Nadesan did well to get there and his touch took him past the committed keeper. It was a tight angle and his hurried back heel bobbled into the side netting.

Things settled after what had been a frantic spell and a shot from Hallam Hope from 24 yards rose high and sailed out of the stands. Crawley pushed forward from the goal kick and Gambin pulled off a shoulder to find room to shoot. Collin shadowed it and made an excellent save as he dropped low to palm it away.

Crawley caused problems for themselves ahead of the break when a cross from Liddle invited Hope to challenge. Defender George Francomb put his hands all over the United forward and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot as the pair hit the floor. Captain Danny Grainger did the rest with an unstoppable penalty kick.

The lead lasted just three minutes as the Red Devils threw men forward in response. A low cross somehow got to Poleon and his touch created room to work space for a shot. Collin was left with no chance as a thunderbolt from close range flew into the top corner.

Carlisle almost committed defensive suicide with just 46 seconds on the second half clock as Gerrard underhit a back pass to Collin. Poleon was onto it in a flash, and in acres of space, but he hesitated for just long enough to give the defender time to make up the space and complete a much-needed tackle.

A cross on the spin from Devitt was met by a run across the near post from Yates as United regained domination, but his touch took the ball behind. Crawley were too casual as they tried to play their way out and that proved to be their downfall as Devitt took over. His whipped pass was taken well by Jack Sowerby and he set himself for a shot as it opened up in front of him. Morris dived but he could do nothing as it struck the inside of the post and flew into the net.

It was suddenly all about the visitors and Morris was excellent as he jumped high to touch a fierce free kick from Devitt over the bar. A string of corners followed and Morris had to be at his best once again when Devitt sat deep for another set piece routine. Grainger rolled it into his path and a curling shot was going in until the home keeper dived long to tip it past the upright.

Having shown little in the second half Crawley almost equalised late in the day when Liddle gave the ball away in a bad area. The box was flooded but a shot from the cross was blocked and put behind. Carlisle broke from the corner and a rasping effort from Devitt was parried by Morris. Hope swept the loose ball into the net but the flag was up for offside.

Hearts were in mouths at the other end when a Payne free kick looped over the wall and bounced in front of Collin. The keeper spilled it, but blue shirts were there to help him out and to guide it behind to safety.

United survived a late scare when Grego Cox got on the end of a ball into the area just four yards out. He hung a boot at it, but he failed to get the connection and Collin was able to gather.

The ball had to be cleared off the line as McNerny got a head to a late corner, but United saw it through to claim another excellent away win.

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Goals

Crawley Town - Poleon (8, 40)

Carlisle United - Yates (14), Grainger (37 pen), Sowerby (56)

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Bookings

Crawley Town - Francomb (37), Payne (58), McNerny (63)

Carlisle United - Yates (12)

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Teams

Crawley Town - Morris, Payne, McNerney, Poleon, Gambin, Francomb, Nathaniel-George, Maguire, Bulman, Camara (Grego Cox 77), N'Gala. Subs - Mersin, Doherty, Connolly, Sesay, Allarakhia.

Carlisle United - Collin, Liddle, Gerrard, Parkes, Grainger, Yates, Sowerby, Etuhu, Devitt (Slater 87), Hope, Nadesan. Subs - Gray, Miller, Jones, Glendon, Bennett, Campbell.

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Referee - Mr Nicholas Kinseley

Attendance - 2,176 (323 away fans)

Ticket News

AWAY DAYS: Crawley Town ticket information

Ticket information for the trip to Crawley

2 December 2018

Crawley Town v Carlisle United, Saturday 22 December, kick off 3pm

Prices

	Seating	Terracing
Adult	£20	£16
Senior 65+	£15	£12
Under 21	£13	£11
Under 18	£10	£10
Under 16	£4	£4
Under 11	£1	£1
Carer	FOC	FOC

Dates of sale

Date	Time
Mon 3 Dec	10am – 5pm
Tue 4 Dec	10am – 5pm
Wed 5 Dec	10am – 5pm
Thu 6 Dec	10am – 5pm
Fri 7 Dec	10am – 5pm
Sat 8 Dec	Closed
Sun 9 Dec	Closed
Mon 10 Dec	10am – 5pm
Tue 11 Dec	10am – 5pm
Wed 12 Dec	10am – 5pm
Thu 13 Dec	10am – 5pm
Fri 14 Dec	10am – 5pm
Sat 15 Dec	10am – 2.15pm
Sat 15 Dec	4.45pm - 5.15pm
Sun 16 Dec	Closed
Mon 17 Dec	10am – 5pm
Tue 18 Dec	10am – 5pm
Wed 19 Dec	10am – 5pm
Thu 20 Dec	10am – 5pm

Wheelchair users’ tickets are available in The Checkatrade.com Stand. Please contact Crawley Town directly to purchase on 01293 410 000.

Tickets are available to purchase on the day from the ticket office (cash and card payments accepted) or the ticket cabin (cash only).

Tickets can also be collected on the day from the match day ticket collection window.

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Methods of purchase:

In person – come to the main ticket office in the Pioneer Stand at the designated time. Ticket sales on home match days will be from the West Stand ticket office.

Phone – ring the ticket office on 0844 371 1921 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card. Calls to this line are charged at 7p per minute from a landline. Mobile charges may vary.

Internet – click HERE and follow the online instructions.

Please note - to post tickets out to customers who have made their purchase over the telephone there is an additional charge of 75p.

The last day tickets will be posted is 5pm on Wednesday 19 December 2018.

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Bus Travel

For further information on travel, contact the following:

Carlisle United Supporters' Group Away Travel: 07563 700 987. Click HERE for more information on booking and departure times.

Route A66 West Cumbrian Travel: 07825 840 123

Carlisle United Football Club

Standings

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: United make the long journey to Crawley

MATCH REPORT: Red Devils 2 - 3 United

AWAY DAYS: Crawley Town ticket information