BIG MATCH PREVIEW: Newport County AFC

Everything you need to know ahead of the final game of the season

2 May 2018

United round their season off with a home fixture against Newport County AFC on Saturday with the lads looking to extend their current run to just one defeat in the last 14 games.

Looking ahead to the game, manager Keith Curle said: "The players showed us at Port Vale that they are determined to finish the season off properly.

"They know that this weekend is another opportunity to represent the club and the shirt, and they want to get the victory to say thank you to the fans for the support they have received.

"Every player in that dressing room wants to be involved so I'm expecting a good tempo and a good game.

"The fans have been fantastic with us all season and we know they'll be there to give us our backing again. Obviously it's my last game with the club, and I'm looking forward to thanking as many fans as possible for what they have done for me after the full time whistle has blown.

"Before that, my focus will be on doing what I can to win a game of football. That's the best thank you I could give to everybody."

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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A big welcome to this weekend's sponsors

On Saturday we would like to welcome our Associate Sponsors McGowan Miller and Gordons Construction, and our Match Ball Sponsors CUOSC and Ian MacDonald & Mark Nicholson.

We hope you and your guests all enjoy your day with us.

Bendles Solicitors and guests also join us in our 1904 Lounge, as well as over 100 guests who will be enjoying match day hospitality in a sold out Foxy’s Restaurant.

We will also be hosting our Business Club members in the Legends Lounge for our final meeting of the season.

Keep an eye on the pitch at half time - 10 people will be keeping their fingers crossed as they form part of our latest Blues Lotto car draw!

We hope that everyone enjoys the day which, as you can see, is set to be a very busy one.

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Please stay off the pitch at full time

Carlisle United Football Club request that all supporters remain in their seats on the completion of Saturday's game.

The players and coaching staff would like to complete a lap of appreciation to thank you for your support throughout the 2017/18 season, but will only be able to do so if the pitch remains clear.

The safety of players, managers, fans and match officials is of paramount importance and supporters who encroach on the pitch risk facing a banning order, as well as a criminal conviction.

The club could also face disciplinary action and a fine if supporters enter the field of play at any stage before, during or after the game.

We therefore ask that you support our request and remain in your seats and in the terraced area at all times.

Thank you for your continued support.

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CUOSC Surgery

CUOSC will be holding their next Supporters’ Surgery on Saturday, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm in the Study Centre, located next to the Blues Store.

Barry Carter from the CUSG Disabled Supporters Group will also be in attendance to answer any questions or queries our disabled fans may have.

Simon Clarkson, from CUSG, will also be there to talk about the ongoing refurbishment and proposed decoration plans for the Sunset Suite.

Click HERE for more details on this project.

CUOSC

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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 on Saturday and we're looking forward to seeing you all there as we welcome Newport County for our final fixture of the campaign.

Our TV screens will be showing all of the sports coverage ahead of kick off, to help you to get in the mood for the big game. And live football will also be on our screens after full time, 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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Pick up a replica shirt at knock-down prices!

It's our final game of the season so make sure you pop into the Blues Store to grab one of this season's replica shirts ... a must have for the beach this summer!

At just £17 you can't afford to miss out!

From fashion ranges to small souvenirs, we have everything your devoted Blues fan could want.

Don't forget, 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!

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 Kaiden Hetherington and Troy Bainbridge.

Kaiden tells us that Jamie Devitt and Danny Grainger are his favourite players, and Troy is most looking forward to meeting Tom Miller.

Both boys, as you might expect, are predicting a Carlisle United win.

Have a great afternoon with us lads.

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 this weekend is Mr Mark Heywood.

Mr Heywood was last at Brunton Park for our 3-1 FA Cup victory over Gillingham back in December. Hallam Hope (2) and Shaun Miller scored our goals, with Scott Wagstaff getting the reply for the Gills.

Gary Liddle, Reggie Lambe and Tom Miller all had their names taken on the day.

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 27 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 the final copy of another busy campaign and it's packed with fun, facts and features to keep you entertained during the half time break.

Get your copy to find out more!

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

MATCH REPORT: United 1 - 1 Newport County AFC

Report from the final game of the season

5 May 2018

Carlisle United rounded off their 2017/18 season with a home game against Newport County on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

The sides had to settle for a draw in what was a largely entertaining affair, with United shading it in terms of chances created and effective possession.

A Ben Tozer shot from distance followed a period of loose possession from the hosts as they twice missed the opportunity to clear their lines of early pressure. Bonham was able to watch in comfort as it bent past his upright.

Carlisle responded with a lovely long pass from Ellis which gave Nadesan something to chase. He beat his man to the ball and then set it for Campbell-Ryce to cross, but Day was well placed for the header from Bennett which was heading for the roof of his net.

Another eye-catching build-up followed with Campbell-Ryce pulling strings as he exchanged passes with Devitt and Jones. Grainger pulled wide for the cross but it was too close to the keeper and he gathered it into his chest.

United were on their game and more slick passing left Devitt unmarked and with time on his hands. His cross was a teaser and it needed Reid to guide it behind before Bennett could pounce.

The hosts were well on top and Campbell-Ryce was unkucky when he stepped inside to let loose with his right boot. His shot was on target but it was blocked by the unsighted Ashley Nadesan.

The Blues got the goal they deserved when Grainger sent a corner into the mix. Ellis shrugged his marker off and left Day with no chance as he thundered a header into the bottom corner.

Newport came to life after the goal and Bonham had a scare when Tozer got on the end of a deep delivery. It looped high into the sky and the Carlisle keeper was relieved to see his miscued punch spin just wide of the upright.

A neat bit of footwork from Liddle took him past his man and into a shooting position at the other end when he overlapped to meet a pass from Joyce. It was a tight angle but he was a whisker away as he drilled his effort at the target.

Campbell-Ryce showed excellent pace to make space for a low cross as he hugged the left hand touchline. Bennett called for it and Day had to take care as a crunching shot came his way.

The best chance of the half for the Exiles came for O'Brien as he went forward for a corner. The half clearance went only as far as Willmott and his delivery was met on the full by the defender. Bonham was beaten, but so was the post.

Another cross from Liddle had Bennett and Nadesan interested but it skipped up wickedly off the surface and the big forward could only do his best to get something on it as he found himself wrong-footed. It spooned high and dropped beneath the bar but it was another easy one for Day to take.

A shot from Nouble took a deflection off Campbell-Ryce and raced wide, as the game settled to a much steadier pace in the Spring sunshine, but the visitors stunned the home crowd when Willmott took matters into his own hands with a decisive 20-yard run. A cross from the outside of his boot was met by a thumping header from Amond which had goal written all over it from the moment it left his forehead.

Devitt wasn't too far away from restoring the lead when he sent a 24-yard free kick over the wall. It had plenty of venom but it dipped too late. The sting was then taken out of a Campbell-Ryce shot when he spun in possession and went for glory. Day stood his ground and gathered it up.

The first action of the second period was another free kick from 26-yards which Devitt once again took charge of. Day was well beaten on this occasion but there was disappointment all round as it bounced back off the angle of post and bar.

Carlisle started to spray the ball around with confidence and that created space for Joyce as he ghosted in from deep. His curling shot was parried by Day and O'Brien completed the clearance.

Carlisle hit the woodwork again when a Hill header spooned high and caught Day on the hop. Bennett and Nadesan got in the way of each other when the loose ball bounced up off the line and it fell harmlessly behind.

Excellent work from Liddle saw him turn defence into attack as he sprinted out of his own half before releasing Bennett with a slide rule pass. The forward cut it back for O'Sullivan, but he was off balance and the clearance was made.

Veteran defender Clint Hill left the field to a standing ovation with 15 minutes to play, with his future still be resolved going forward, and the game slowed visibly as the temperature rose.

Both sides had late half chances, but the whistle blew on another season at Brunton Park with the fans saying farewell to their manager during the closing lap of appreciation.

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Goals

Carlisle United - Ellis (14)

Newport County - Amond (39)

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Bookings

Newport County - Willmott (78)

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Teams

Carlisle United - Bonham, Liddle, Ellis, Hill (Lambe 74), Grainger (Parkes 46), Devitt, Joyce, Jones, Campbell-Ryce (O'Sullivan 61), Bennett, Nadesan. Subs - Miller, Brown, Stockton, Twardek.

Newport County - Day, Butler, Willmott, Dolan, Amond (Pipe 90), Nouble, Tozer, Reid, O'Brien (Collins 58), Demetriou, Sheehan (Touray 79). Subs - Bittner, Jackson.

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Referee - Mark Heywood

Attendance - 5,311 (270 away fans)

Standings