PREVIEW: A look ahead to the Northampton trip

We're up against the Cobblers this weekend

28 October 2021

United head to the Sixfields Stadium this weekend to face Northampton Town in their latest League Two fixture.

This fixture kicks off at 2pm!

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The Cobblers received thoroughly deserved praise at the beginning of October when they invited 50 Afghan refugees to their home game against Sutton United.

It was an immediate response to the announcement that approximately 140 refugees who had worked for British forces in Afghanistan had been offered accommodation by West Northamptonshire Council.

James Whiting, the chief executive down at Sixfields, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming the group to the game.

"The group are currently adjusting to life in Northamptonshire after leaving Afghanistan and we are sure all Cobblers fans will help give the group a warm welcome to Sixfields."

The refugees were given tickets and transport to and from the match, with costs covered by a club sponsor.

Well done Northampton Town!

opposition

This fixture kicks off at 2pm!

It's been steady stuff from Northampton so far this season with consistency in performances keeping them in touch with the upper reaches of the division almost from the get-go.

Relegated last season, they've brushed that aside, despite a wobble at the beginning of the month which saw them surrender a three-game unbeaten streak to defeats to last season's promoted National League sides, Sutton and Hartlepool.

That was followed by a reset and back-to-back wins over Stevenage and Mansfield, both with clean sheets added into the bargain.

They were away at Tranmere last Saturday, and they continued the winning trend with second half goals from Kion Etete and Sam Hoskins. The three points took them into the top three as they made it three victories on the bounce.

who watch

With over 250 appearances in all competitions under his belt for the Cobblers we can only look as far as Sam Hoskins.

Goals against Harltepool, Stevenage and Tranmere this month suggest he's back in the groove, making it four for the season, and don't forget he bagged against us the last time we met, pre-Covid, right here at Brunton Park.

He's lively, he makes the runs and he's good on the ball. He's one we'll need to watch closely.

This fixture kicks off at 2pm!

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

highlights

The sides have met a total of 43 times over the years - only ever in league competition - with Northampton edging it in terms of victories.

	Carlisle wins	Draws	Northampton wins
League	12	14	17
Total	12	14	17

Northampton took the points away from Brunton Park in October 2019 with second half goals from Scott Pollock and Sam Hoskins.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The teams met in January 2019 when the Cobblers claimed a 3-0 home victory. A certain fella called Jack Bridge notched a brace, with Junior Morias also on target for the hosts.

Watch the highlights of that game here:

We went up against Northampton for the first time last season in August when the teams played out a 2-2 draw. Jamie Devitt gave the Blues the lead with a stunning strike on the half hour, but Kevin van Veen pulled things level just before the break. Matt Crooks put the visitors ahead midway through the second half, but the lead lasted just 60 seconds as Hallam Hope struck back in the very next attack.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

officials

Referee - Ollie Yates
Assistant Referee 1 - Aaron Farmer
Assistant Referee 2 - Matthew Wilkes
Fourth Official - Greg Read
Observer - Philip Joslin

Our referee for this fixture is Mr Ollie Yates.

He has taken charge of five games so far this season showing 17 yellow cards.

He was at Brunton Park in March 2021 for our 3-1 home win over Bradford. Rhys Bennett (2) and Ozzy Zanzala scored the goals, and it was a busy day of bookings with Lewis Alessandra, Paul Farman, Jon Mellish and Zanzala all having their names taken.

Mr Yates was also in charge for our November 2020 trip to Hayes & Yeading for our FA Cup first round encounter. Jon Mellish netted twice in the depths of extra time to take it to a penalty shoot-out, with Gav Reilly bagging the decisive spot kick. Dean Furman and Omari Patrick picked up yellow cards.

He was at Brunton Park back in October 2016 for the visit of Crawley. Jabo Ibehre, Jason Kennedy and Luke Joyce scored our goals in a 3-1 victory, and Mark Ellis was the only Carlisle player to be booked on the day.

We then met him at Cambridge in September 2018 when we ran out as 2-1 winners at the Abbey. Richie Bennett and Ash Nadesan netted for us, and Adam Campbell was the solitary booking handed out during the 90 minutes.

tickets

This fixture kicks off at 2pm!

We have been allocated 350 seated tickets in the South Stand.

Tickets are available to purchase on the match day with a £2 increase in price (card payments only).

Prices

Adult	£22
Senior 65+	£18
Under 21	£18
Under 18	£10
*Under 7	FoC

*Under 7 tickets must be purchased with a full paying adult or senior.

Proof of age may be required on entry for concessionary tickets.

Disabled info

Wheelchair users pay the relevant concession with the carer free of charge.

Dates of sale

Date	Time
Wed 27 Oct	10am – 5pm
Thu 28 Oct	10am – 4pm

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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 0330 094 5930 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.

Internet – click HERE and follow the online instructions.

Match Reports

MATCH REPORT: Cobblers 3 - 0 United

Report from the Saturday afternoon away game

30 October 2021

United wrapped up the month of October with a trip to the Sixfields Stadium to face Northampton Town.

Manager Keith Millen took charge of the side for the first time and he made one change to the starting line-up from last weekend with right-back Kelvin Mellor, back from his recent injury, in for Joe Riley.

United showed early promise when Dickenson stepped in to make a challenge deep inside the home half. He then used Clough, who neatly touched it to Gibson. Mellor overlapped but he was stopped in his tracks by McGowan, who was able to sweep it clear.

A mistake by McGowan moments later meant Alessandra was able to release Clough through the middle, as he stepped back from an offside position. Mellish shouted for it, but his effort from long-range was charged down. Guy latched onto the loose pieces but his left-footed swipe was high and well wide.

It was a good start from the visitors and Armer went on a run down the left flank, in support of a touch from Alessandra. His cross from the byeline was gathered in by Gibson, but his stinger on the turn was blocked.

The resulting corner from Clough was half-cleared, but Dickenson showed good pace to create room for a delivery. He didn't disappoint, with a low drilled half volley that screamed across the face of the target. McDonald met it at the far post but Guthrie lunged to get there and send it behind. The blue shirts wanted a penalty but the officials showed no interest.

Another unforced Northampton error presented Alessandra with a chance to get forward. He beat his man, but a boot got in the way of his snapshot as he reached the edge of the area. The set piece routine was quickly taken, and Clough fed it on for Alessandra to chase. He volleyed on the stretch but it was always going wide.

The Cobblers showed as an attacking force on 19 minutes when they passed the ball down the left flank. Flores crossed, and Horsfall jumped high to meet it at the back stick. His header looped high and dropped behind the target.

Wide man Brennan Dickenson limped off the field after falling heavily having won a strong tackle on the halfway line, and Tristan Abrahams was brought into the fray.

Aaron McGowan suffered the same fate, with both teams forced into earlier than scheduled substitutions.

Flowing football from United took them from back to front at the restart with Armer involved at the beginning and end of the move. Mellish, Abrahams and Alessandra played their part, and it was Mellish who scuffed his shot as he put his boot through it.

There was a flurry of activity at the Carlisle end when Flores found Revan with time to consider his options. The delivery went deep and Pinnock was there to crack off a volley. Mellor did well to get his body in the way.

Good away football was on show again on 38 minutes when Armer arrived late to join the attack. A cross on the sprint brought a clearance from Guthrie. Mellor got there first, and another measured pass invited Alessandra to leap. It was a powerful six-yard header but the striker couldn't keep it down.

All of the solid work was undone on 41 minutes when the hosts broke in numbers after Clough had been bundled off the ball in the centre circle. Koiki Bounced it off Pinnock, and he was suddenly inside the box. A devastating grasscutter was picked off by Lewis, who slid it in from just three-yards out.

The Cobblers showed first after the break with a ball over the top from Sowerby. Lewis set himself to volley from distance but Howard was equal to it, and he gathered it in comfortably.

Another long ball forward found Etete, after he'd shrugged Whelan out of the way. He opted to shoot from the edge of the area and it sailed over the bar.

Sowerby was more advanced for the next attack and he found himself beyond the back line as he combined with Pinnock. It needed a touch from Mellor to prevent Etete from tapping it in.

A free kick from deep eventually fell the way of Horsfall as it pinged around in the box, and he showed awareness when he invited Guthrie to strike. It whipped just past the upright.

Lewis was gifted his second goal on 57 minutes when a wayward pass from Mellish put his side on their heels and pulled them completely out of shape. Guy tried to recover, but he was caught off-balance and Etete couldn't believe his luck as he stepped into the box with the ball at his feet. He had Sowerby and Lewis up in support, and he put it on a plate for his fellow forward who was enjoyed plenty of time and space as he picked his spot.

There was controversy on 66 minutes when a fizzed cross from Etete brushed past Armer, who had pulled his arms into his body. The assistant referee waved frantically, and an extremely harsh spot kick was awarded. Paul Lewis confidently completed his hat-trick.

Northampton looked confident and there was defending to do as crosses came from left and right.

A long throw from Riley was cleared to the 18-yard line by Guthrie as the clock ticked down, but Clough leaned back as he connected and it climbed from the moment it left his laces.

Mampala was wayward in time added on when he unleashed one from distance, and the hosts slowed things down as they saw the game out to collect the three points.

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Goals

Northampton Town - Lewis (41, 57, 67 pen)

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Bookings

Carlisle United - Armer (66), Guy (82)

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Teams

Northampton Town - Roberts, McGowan (Revan 30), Sowerby, Guthrie, Horsfall (c), Lewis, Pinnock, Koiki, Flores (Kabamba 73), McWilliams (Rose 76), Etete. Subs - Woods (gk), Pollock, Ashley-Seal, Dyche.

Carlisle United - Howard, Mellor (Riley 76), McDonald, Whelan, Armer, Guy (c), Mellish, Dickenson (Abrahams 27), Clough, Alessandra (Mampala 65), Gibson. Subs - Jensen (gk), Charters, Feeney, Young.

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Match officials

Referee - Ollie Yates
Assistant Referee 1 - Aaron Farmer
Assistant Referee 2 - Matthew Wilkes
Fourth Official - Greg Read
Observer - Philip Joslin

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Attendance - 4,909 (288)