BIG MATCH PREVIEW: Accrington Stanley

Everything you need to know ahead of the Boxing Day game

24 December 2017

Accrington Stanley are our visitors on Boxing Day for what is always an eagerly anticipated encounter.

Looking ahead to the game, manager Keith Curle said: "This is always a game that both clubs look forward to.

"Accrington have had a good first half of the season and they'll be looking to carry that on. For our part, we know we need to match the home form to the away form, and we're determined to give our supporters here at Brunton Park plenty to cheer about.

"Our fans have been fantastic. They've shown patience and they've got behind us, and we share their frustrations at the fact we haven't turned enough of the draws or dominant performances we've had here into match winning results.

"We know in the dressing room that we need to change that. We want to give our fans the success they deserve, and we know they'll be with us every step of the way because there's a determination within the group to bring a winning mentality to our stadium."

Keith Curle

Remember, you can purchase your tickets by telephone on 0844 371 1921* or buy online and print at home, or order for collection, by clicking HERE.

*Calls to this number are charged at 7p per minute from landlines. Charges from mobiles may vary. A booking fee of £1 applies to all online transactions.

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Welcome to our Big Match Sponsors

Our Match Sponsors on Tuesday are a group of Player Sponsors who have come together for a slightly different kind of sponsorship experience.

We'll be joined by David Graham and Jak Little [sponsors of Colin West and Kelvin Etuhu], Alex MacAllister [sponsor of Clint Hill], Malcolm and Yvonne Millar [sponsors of Richie Bennett], Ian and Liz Hoyle [sponsors of Reggie Lambe], Matt Bond from Cito Cleaning [sponsor of Mike Jones] and Bruce and Kathryn Vander Taylor [sponsors of Nicky Adams and Luke Joyce].

Our Match Ball Sponsors on the day are Jack Murchison and Arkale Lodge.

We're looking forward to hosting everybody, with their guests, on Boxing Day.

Look out for a special 'United v Accie' crossbar challenge at half time! It should be a cracker.

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Get to meet the players

Some of the first team squad will be out and about around the ground on match day.

Make sure you get your selfies and autographs:

12.45pm to 1pm - players arrive at main reception

2pm - Blues Store

2.30pm - Family Zone

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Join us for our Happy Hour and Big Match build-up

Our hospitality areas will all be in full-flow again for Boxing Day and we're looking forward to seeing you all for what is always a good game.

Our TV screens will be showing the Spurs v Southampton game from 12.30pm, to help you to get in the mood for the big game. And don't forget to take in Liverpool v Swansea City at 5.30pm fixture, for those of you who want to stay with us when our game has concluded.

Our catering partners, abm Catering, are delighted to confirm another Happy Hour in the Sporting Inn and Sunset Suite between 12pm and 1.30pm on Saturday afternoon.

The Happy Hour includes a ‘50p per pint off’ offer on Fosters, John Smiths and Strongbow [£3 per pint during the Happy Hour] – please note, Guinness and Morretti will be sold at full price.

Sunset Suite Remember, you can upgrade your match ticket to book a place in Foxy’s Restaurant - £25pp for a two-course meal or £30pp for a three-course meal.

We also have an extensive range of sponsorship opportunities available, from Match Day sponsorship to player and ball sponsorship packages. For more information please contact the Commercial Department on 01228 554 155 or email commercial@carlisleunited.co.uk

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New stock arriving in our Blues Store all the time!

As we head rapidly towards the festive season we have excellent present and gift ideas arriving in our Blues Store almost every day.

From clothing to small souvenirs and stocking fillers, we have everything your devoted Blues fan could want.

The popular home and away kits continue to sell well - some of our first team players will be popping into the Blues Store at around 2pm – be there for a selfie with your new shirt if you can make it!

Also in-store is a fantastic new historical wall chart. Everything you need to know about the Blues is right there in front of your eyes and, at just £10, it's an absolute bargain.

Keep checking in-store and online - we have new fashion and souvenir ranges arriving all the time.

Shirts

Telephone sales: 01228 554 138 (during store working hours only).

To shop at our online Blues Store, click HERE.

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The Mascots

Our mascots for this game are Daniel Lewis, Mikey Nolan and Peter Young.

Daniel is a big fan of Nicky Adams and Jack Bonham, Mikey likes Nicky Adams and Peter is most looking forward to meeting Mike Jones.

Have a great day with us boys!

To find out more about our Junior Blues membership and how to become a mascot, click HERE.

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The Man in the Middle

Our match referee is Scott Duncan.

The last time we met Mr Duncan was for our 3-3 home draw with Wycombe in October.

Reggie Lambe (2) and Jamie Devitt got our goals, but we were denied the three points when Paris Cowan-Hall grabbed a late equaliser in time added on.

Referee

Our betting partner Sky Bet has some fantastic odds available on all match markets – click HERE for more details.

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The Match Programme

Issue 15/16 of this season’s The Blues Match Day programme is on sale from our usual programme selling points and outlets around the ground.

It’s a 72-page combined publication for the festive period and it’s packed with fun, facts and features to keep you entertained during the half time break.

We take a look at some of the best and worst of Christmas present ideas with the squad and we also get to know about their New Year's Resolutions.

And some of it is extremely eye-opening!

Priced at just £3 it’s becoming a must-have match day essential.

Programme

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Match Day Ticket Sales

Match Day Ticket Sales are as follows:

Main Stand [B, C, Pirelli Family Stand and EWM] – from the ticket office situated on the west side of the stadium.

Paddock – from the Paddock ticket office situated at the southern end of the Paddock.

Pioneer Foods Stand and Warwick Road End – from the Pioneer Foods Stand ticket office situated on the ground floor on the east side of the stadium.

Away fans – from the away ticket office situated at the northern end of the Pioneer Foods Stand.

Remember – during the working week our Pioneer Foods Stand ticket office, situated on the first floor of the Pioneer Foods stand, is open for ticket sales for ALL areas of the ground.

The ticket office on the west side of the stadium is open on MATCH DAYS ONLY.

The ticket office is open from 10am to 5pm on weekdays (and until kick off for midweek games) and from 10am to 5.15pm on weekend match days.

Fans

It is worth noting that entry can be gained on match days by showing your ticket confirmation email on your smart phone or equivalent device. Simply present the relevant section of your eTicket for scanning at point of entry.

For full ticket office opening times and ticket prices, click HERE.

Remember, you can purchase your tickets by telephone on 0844 371 1921* or buy online and print at home, or order for collection, by clicking HERE.

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Be in it to win it with our Golden Gamble

Keep your eye out for our Golden Gamble sellers around the ground ahead of kick off.

Your tickets can be purchased for just £1 (or at 3 for £2) and give you the chance to win either £100, or the share of a cash pot, in our half time draws.

And, while we’re on the subject, why not sign up to our exciting Blues Lotto? For just £1 you can purchase 10 lucky numbers for our weekly draw giving you the chance to win cash prizes from our fund of nearly £60,000.

Golden Gamble

There is now the opportunity to pay an additional £1 per week to upgrade to Premier Membership where there is another £17,000 cash, 3 new cars and many other prizes waiting to be won.

For more details visit www.blueslotto.co.uk or email lottery@carlisleunited.co.uk.

Alternatively call 01228 526 237 and ask for Ewan Wood.

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The Blues Store in the East Stand

We are delighted to confirm that our Blues Store will be operating from the Club Bar adjacent to the Family Zone in the Pioneer Foods Stand once again this weekend.

A full range of stock will be available with the emphasis on smaller items, suitable for the younger visitors to our extremely popular Family Zone games and play area.

Keep your eye out for our mini-tuck shop selling a range of confectionary and drinks.

Replica kit sales continue to go well in our main Blues Store on Warwick Road and it would be great to see you in your favourite colour [blue or carbon] as you cheer on the lads from the stands and the terraces.

Blues Store

Blues Store opening times:

Monday - 10am to 5pm
Tuesday - 10am to 5pm (open until 7.45pm on a match day)
Wednesday - CLOSED
Thursday - 10am to 5pm
Friday - 10am to 5pm
Saturday - 10am to 3pm (open until 5.30pm on match day)
Sunday - CLOSED

Telephone sales: 01228 554 138 (during store working hours only).

Click HERE to shop at our online Blues Store.

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Challenge 25

We are operating the ‘Challenge 25’ policy at Brunton Park this season.

Please do not be offended if you are asked for ID when purchasing alcohol and if you appear to be under the age of 25 to our bar staff.

Challenge 25

Thank you for your cooperation.

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The Supporters’ Car Park

Our supporters’ car park is open with parking available at the stadium at just £3.

Car Park

Please be aware that the ground can be uneven in places, so take care when navigating and walking around the area.

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Local Match Day Travel with Stagecoach

Carlisle Footyrider – get to the match for half the cost!

Stagecoach Cumbria and Carlisle United are working together to make it easier for you to get to Brunton Park on match days.

The Carlisle Footyrider ticket will get you to every first-team home game for half the price of a normal dayrider ticket.

Stagecoach service 76 and 685 takes you straight to Brunton Park. Simply catch service 76 from The Crescent (Stand U) near the train station or service 685 from Carlisle Bus Station.

Stagecoach

What you'll need

To get a Carlisle Footyrider ticket you’ll need to show our driver one of the following:

+ A valid Carlisle United season ticket

+ A ticket for that day's match

Where you can travel?

You can get to Brunton Park from anywhere across Cumbria and North Lancashire.

Depending on where you’re travelling from, you can purchase a Footyrider ticket from within the:

+ Carlisle dayrider zone
+ Carlisle dayrider plus zone
+ Explorer zone

How much does it cost?

+ Carlisle dayrider - £1.50
+ Carlisle dayrider plus - £3.35
+ Explorer - £5.40

Click HERE to visit the Stagecoach website for full travel details.

Match Reports

REPORT: United 3 - 1 Accrington

Match report from the Boxing Day home game

26 December 2017

Accrington Stanley were the festive visitors to Brunton Park on Boxing Day.

And manager Keith Curle went with an unchanged starting line-up for the third consecutive fixture as he looked to build on a recent good run of form.

The tactic worked as Carlisle overcame a sticky patch at the start of the second half to claim three points from another very entertaining performance.

The play was confined to the middle of the park for much of the opening ten minutes, with little to show between both sides as every attempt to get forward was cut out by attentive defending.

That changed when a ball wide to Clark was fed on for Kee to shield. He rolled it back outside the area but McConville was off balance and his wild effort sailed high over the bar.

Carlisle bit back immediately with an incisive attack which tore Accrington apart. Hallam Hope did the hard work when he controlled a high ball forward expertly on the end of his toe. He needed strength and guile to twist away from three defenders, and the reverse pass that followed was perfect for Jamie Devitt to run on to. The keeper raced out to close the angles but he could do nothing as the winger clipped a lovely finish over his dive and into the bottom corner.

United came again with another good move which saw Brown and Liddle work a way down the left flank. Brown then fed it inside for Bennett, and he cushioned a pass for Lambe to cross. Devitt arrived late but he couldn't quite get enough on his stretch as he tried to volley the ball past the stopper at the near post.

Stanley had half a chance when McConville floated a deep free kick into the mix midway through the half. Hughes got a headed flick to it but his touch took it wide of the mark.

A strong run down the left wing from Parkes, assisted by Grainger, gave him the chance to cross early and he didn't disappoint as he whipped the ball at the penalty spot. Hope had to readjust to try to get to the volley but he couldn't quite get his boot there in time.

Accrington started to pass the ball better as the half hour mark approached, but they were left feeling frustrated when a good passage of play was brought to an end by a weak McConville shot.

The hosts got forward again with purpose when Parkes was once more released on the left, but his lobbed cross was eventually cleared out of the box. Devitt picked up the loose pieces and Chapman had to watch closely as a thumped effort skipped off the surface and into his hands.

Danny Grainger then rifled a free kick from a very tight angle into the side netting as he used Lambe to help him to make it more of a prospect.

The Cumbrians should have doubled their lead just before the break when more eye-catching football left Stanley flat-footed. Hope wriggled his way past the attentions of three challenges in midfield and then did everything right with a neat ball into the box. That ran through to Devitt but he put too much on his clip and it swirled agonisingly over the bar.

Having had absolutely nothing to do, Bonham brought the stadium to its feet when he was left one-on-one with Wilks, following a lapse of concentration in midfield. The keeper led with his feet and stopped the run in its tracks with an excellently timed tackle.

Clark swiped a miscued volley wide from distance as Stanley picked up the pace, heading into the break, and Parkes whistled one just over at the other end when he stopped a blocked effort from Grainger before putting his boot through it to have go from 20-yards out.

Stanley were handed the chance to get back into the contest with just 58 seconds on the second half clock when Parkes struggled to deal with a ball over the top, as Jackson chased him down. Trickery from a first touch from the visiting man forced a challenge and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot as he tumbled to the floor. Billy Kee did the rest from the spot.

Striker Hallam Hope had half a sight to restore the lead when Chapman and Hughes hesitated as the ball bounced on the edge of the box. A toe poke was headed for the target until the keeper recovered to make a one-handed save.

It was suddenly end-to-end and a difficult delivery was allowed to bounce across the face of goal as Liddle and Hill missed opportunities to deal with it. The ball was eventually hooked clear, much to the relief of the home crowd.

There was another half chance for Carlisle in an all-action spell when a deep corner was headed high by Parkes. It came back at him and another good connection had Chapman worried. He spilled it, but he did enough to stop Bennett from tucking the loose pieces away as the pair battled for the ball on the floor.

Bennett rattled a shot wide from distance as he tried to take matters into his own hands, and United missed another golden opportunity when a lovely cross from Grainger bounced free for Hope to strike. It needed to hit the target but he lost his bearings and sent it into the night sky.

The Blues started to play their football and Hope and Grainger combined to pick their way into the area. Hope then slid it for Jones to strike but he pulled his first-time effort and Chapman remained untroubled.

It was a game finely balanced and Jackson felt he should have done better when Kee fed him with an inside pass. He dropped a shoulder and opted for power and it shaved the outside of the upright.

Captain Danny Grainger curled a 23-yard free kick over the angle of post and bar as United tried to dictate the pace, and Lambe flashed a volley wide after he'd controlled a half clearance on his chest on the penalty spot.

If you missed Shaun Miller's contender for Goal of the Year earlier this season - he produced an almost carbon copy to put his side back in front with just over ten minutes left to play. A neat bit of control on his chest, with his back to goal, was followed by a volley on the spin which left Chapman with no chance as it sailed into his bottom corner.

Carlisle were suddenly dominant again and Mike Jones was close to a screamer of his own when the ball was rolled into his path. His shot had pace and power but he was exasperated when he saw it crash back off the post.

The move stayed alive with Devitt and Lambe doing everything they could to twist their way through, but it was Danny Grainger who took the applause as he ghosted in to plant a wonderful right footed shot into the waiting net.

That was job done for United, despite the need for Bonham to make another block as the Blues got themselves into a bit of a mix-up when playing out from the back, and they were able to reflect on an excellent festive period so far courtesy of six points and an FA Cup victory.

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Goals

Carlisle United - Devitt (11), S Miller (78), Grainger (83)

Accrington Stanley - Kee (47 pen)

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Bookings

Accrington Stanley - Kee (64)

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Teams

Carlisle United - Bonham, J Brown (O'Sullivan 65), Liddle, Hill, Parker, Grainger, Lambe (Etuhu 79), Jones, Devitt, Hope, Bennett (S Miller 65). Subs - Bacon, T Miller, Cosgrove, Ellis.

Accrington Stanley - Chapman, Hughes, Donacien, Richards-Everton, Nolan, Clark, S Brown, Jackson, McConville, Wilks (Ogle 79), Kee. Subs - Stryjek, McLeod, Sykes, Sousa, Johnson, Conneely.

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Referee - Stephen Martin

Attendance - 5,404 (238 away fans)

Carlisle United Football Club

Standings

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: Accrington Stanley

REPORT: United 3 - 1 Accrington