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FA CUP: United drawn to face Gillingham away in round two of this season's Emirates FA Cup

Emirates FA Cup second round draw details

6 November 2017

Club News

FA CUP: United drawn to face Gillingham away in round two of this season's Emirates FA Cup

Emirates FA Cup second round draw details

6 November 2017

It's League One opposition for Carlisle United again as they travel to face Gillingham in round two of this season's Emirates FA Cup competition.

Gillingham have found their league campaign to be tough going so far this season and they currently sit in the lower reaches of League One, but with a better run of recent form under their belts.

The Gills beat Leyton Orient in the first round to set up the Priestfield meeting - a round trip of 664 miles for the Cumbrians - and will be looking to build on their improved results as they prepare to host the Blues.

Carlisle United were on their way to the Division Three title the last time they won at the Priestfield, in December 1994, and it was Dean Walling who sent the Blue Army wild when he headed the only goal of the game into the back of the net to make it a fantastic New Year's Eve celebration.

This is the first time the clubs have met in this competition, but our last trip into Gillingham in November 2013 brought a 0-1 reverse and late red card for striker Lee Miller. 

Speaking about the FA Cup draw tonight, manager Keith Curle said: "It'll be a tough game because we're going up against another team from a higher division.

"The expectation will be on them because they're at home but, as with any game, it will come down to who does it right on the day. 

"We'll do our homework and we'll show them respect, but we'll prepare for the game in the same way we do every week. We'll have our game plan and we'll look to cause them problems in the areas where we feel we'll be able to exploit them.

"The fact they've had a tough start doesn't even come into it. Steve [Lovell] is running the rule over things as we speak but it's a situation which isn't quite settled at the moment. Whatever happens with that, it's another chance for us to pit our wits against a team at the next level, and these are the kinds of challenges we really do enjoy. 

"It's a long trip for our fans, but they don't let that worry them. We'll be well supported and I expect that our London Branch had smiles on their faces as soon as the draw came out of the hat. 

"The fact that we know we'll have a good following is another reason why we will get ourselves ready in exactly the same way as if it was for a league game, or for a non-league team. There's a game to be won and, in this case, a place in the third round with the clubs from the top tier to aim for.

"We have nothing to fear and if we show the same attention to detail which has made us very hard to beat recently, we'll give ourselves a real chance."

Ties will be played over the weekend of 1, 2, 3 and 4 December. Full details will be confirmed in due course. 


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