Crewe are the first team we'll have faced twice in league competition this season when we head down the road on Thursday evening.
Crewe had been without a game for 24 days prior to their Boxing Day trip to Stockport, and they were looking to put the disappointment of the home defeat at the hands of Newport behind them going into that fixture.
But two second half goals from Madden and Collar meant that it was to be an away trip with nothing to show as it became back-to-back defeats.
However, they've been a team that's difficult to beat and seven draws from 20 league outings suggests that their stubborn streak could make them a tough proposition.
It's fair to say there's been a bit of turmoil in the manager's office this past few months, and Lee Bell has stepped in as interim manager after Alex Morris stood down from the role to become the club's assistant.
Morris, previously assistant to Dave Artell, took the hotseat in April, with Bell becoming his assistant.
The Alex were winless in nine games when Bell stood up, and are looking to push on now that the situation is more settled.
But there was bad news at the start of the month when it was confirmed that last season's top scorer Chris Long is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines after learning he needs an operation on his ankle injury.
Daniel Agyei has two goals from the last four league games - six from 26 appearances in all competitions - and is a real livewire on the ball.
He can create and chip in, and he's often a useful outlet.
He's our Thursday one to watch.
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| Carlisle wins | Draws | Crewe wins | |
| League | 36 | 13 | 36 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| League Cup | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 40 | 15 | 39 |
The teams battled out a 0-0 draw at Brunton Park on October 2022.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
It was a high-scoring meeting at Gresty Road on 1 January 2020 with the Alex netting four times. Jack Iredale scored the consolation for the Blues.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Our October 2019 meeting here at Brunton Park saw the visitors race to a two-goal lead before the break. Hallam Hope and Christie Elliott got us right back into it, but Crewe finished strongly with two goals in the last 15 minutes which saw them take the points.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
We were at Gresty Road twice during the 2018/19 season, with the last meeting between these teams coming in February 2019. Chris Porter got the Alex off to an explosive start with three minutes on the clock, and the afternoon took another downward turn when Jamie Devitt was given his marching orders with just 20 minutes of the game having passed by. Gary Miller bagged a beauty to level things up before the break, but former-Blue Shaun Miller made sure the points stayed at home when he came off the bench to score the winner.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
We were down in Crewe just a few months earlier for a first round FA Cup meeting. The Blues missed a penalty but won the game in dramatic fashion when keeper Ben Garratt got his bearings wrong as he smashed a poor clearance right at Jamie Devitt in time added on. The shocked stopper could do nothing as the rebound found its way into his bottom corner.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Our first meeting in 2018/19 was at the end of August, just five games into the campaign. It was a match of ups and downs for the Blues as they played good football, with Hope and Yates going close early in the piece. The down side for the Blues was the loss of Grainger and Fryer to injury, but Ashley Nadesan left everyone smiling when he grabbed the winner and his first goal of the season with 20 minutes left to play.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Looking back to the 2017/18 season and the away game went the way of the Blues with goals from Danny Grainger [2], Reggie Lambe and Hallam Hope added to by an own goal from former-Carlisle centre back Michael Raynes, which combined to give United a comfortable 5-0 away victory back in the September of that campaign.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The home game in the January was a much closer affair, with a late strike from Sam Cosgrove the difference between the sides.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Referee - Andy Haines
Assistant Referee 1 - Kevin Morris
Assistant Referee 2 - Johnathon Bickerdike
Fourth Official - Ruebyn Ricardo
Observer - Iain Siddall
Coach - Michael Jones
Mr Haines has taken charge of 15 games so far this season showing 45 yellow cards and two reds.
We also saw him in September 2022 for our 2-1 home win over Wimbledon.Callum Guy opened the scoring with a beauty, but but Ayoub Assal equalised on the hour. Kris Dennis nabbed the late winner. Jack Armer and Jon Mellosh were booked on the day.
He was here with us in March 2022 when a solitary Kris Dennis goal gave the Blues a 1-0 victory over Bristol Rovers. Dennis was also booked, along with Jack Armer, Brennan Dickenson and Omari Patrick.
We saw him in January 2022 for our 2-0 home win over Bradford. Jordan Gibson netted on the stoke of half-time, Omari Patrick sealed it late in the day, and there were no Carlisle names taken on the day.
He was at Brunton Park in November 2020 for our defeat at the hands of soon to be promoted Cheltenham Town. Jon Mellish scored on the stroke of half time, but the Robins were already two goals to the good, and they ended up claiming the win. There were no bookings that afternoon.
We also had him for the pre-lockdown game against Cheltenham in February 2020. They won 1-0 and Gethin Jones was the only Carlisle name taken on the day.
He was last at Brunton Park prior to that for our 1-0 home victory over FA Cup replay with Forest Green in December 2019. Aaron Hayden scored his first goal for the club - the only goal of the game - and Ryan Loft went in the book on the night.
He was also here for the 2-1 home win over Macclesfield in November 2019. Harry McKirdy and Ryan Loft scored the Carlisle goals and Mike Jones and Canice Carroll had their names taken on the day.
Prior to that he was here in March 2019 for our 2-2 draw with Cambridge. The U's went ahead with just three minutes on the clock, but goals from Jamie Devitt and Nathan Thomas gave the Blues the lead before the break. Former-United favourite Jabo Ibehre bagged midway through the second period to make it a share of the spoils on the day. Danny Grainger and Mike Jones received bookings during the game.
He was also with us just three months earlier for our Boxing Day meeting with Oldham. United ran riot with goals from Hope, Yates [2], Nadesan, Grainger and Liddle securing a thumping 6-0 victory. Kelvin Etuhu was the only Carlisle name taken on the night.
Earlier in the 2018/19 season he was up here for our Checkatrade Trophy group fixture against Morecambe. A tight game saw the Shrimps twice take the lead through goals from Oliver and Piggott. Glendon and Gillesphey pegged them back for the Blues, and that set it up for Jerry Yates to grab a late winner. There were no United names taken on the night.
We saw Mr Haines twice in season 2017/18, both at Brunton Park, starting with our opening day fixture against Swindon Town. Luke Joyce scored our only goal in a 2-1 defeat, and Mike Jones was the only Carlisle name to be written down.
Our second meeting had a much more pleasant outcome as we beat Oldham Athletic 3-2 in the FA Cup. Richie Bennett (2) and Hallam Hope gave us a three goal cushion but there was still time to bite the fingernails as Peter Clarke and Aaron Holloway bit back to make it a nervy ending to the game. There were no Carlisle bookings that afternoon.
We have been allocated an initial 800 tickets for this fixture with a further 800 available if needed.
Tickets will go off sale at 3.30pm on Wednesday 28 December.
Click HERE to view the full ticket office Christmas opening hours.
Tickets can be purchased on the day of the game and do not increase in price.
Away collections are from the away ticket office on match day.
Prices
| Price | |
| Adult | £25 |
| Senior 60+ | £19 |
| Junior 12-16 | £12 |
| 11 & under | £7.50 |
| Wheelchair | £19 |
Disabled information
Ambulant disabled supporters pay the relevant price with the carer free of charge.
Wheelchair user supporters pay £19 with the carer free of charge.
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.
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