United host not-so-local rivals Exeter City on Saturday with the teams - as seems to have been the case more often than not in recent seasons - locked almost side-by-side in the league table.
The Grecians head north with an impressive home victory against MK Dons under their belts from last weekend, making it just one defeat from their last five games.
Talisman Jayden Stockley departed for Preston early in the transfer, but manager Matt Taylor moved quickly to replace him when he captured the signature of former-Blue Ryan Bowman, who had built up a solid reputation with Motherwell. Wolves centre forward Donovan Wilson also joined on a half-season loan deal to further bolster the attacking ranks.
Another dpearture was midfielder Jordan Tillson, who went to Cheltenham on loan, and he was replaced by Watford winger Randell Williams, who has been tipped to have a bright future by the Hornets.
Also heading into the building during a January of squad restructuring was West Brom defender Kane Wilson and Huddersfield full back Jaden Brown, who signed for the Grecians on loan.
A familiar face returns to Brunton Park again at the weekend, as part of the Exeter contingent, as former-academy boss Eric Kinder takes his place in the dugout beside the Exeter manager.
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From the manager ...
United boss Steven Pressley said: “We’ve watched a lot of their footage over the last few days and, to be honest, this is going to be a really good challenge because they’re a very good side.
"They played really well at the weekend against MK Dons and they have some very exciting players. They’re in a rich vein of form and they’ll be coming up here to upset us. It will be a real test for us, but it’s one I hope we can overcome.
“They have a lot of creation in their team with Lee Martin on one side, who is very dangerous, and Nicky Law is a fantastic player who can unlock defences and score goals. He’s always very prominent in every aspect of their attacking play.
“They’ve got a real goal threat right and they’ll look to get at us at every opportunity. This is the kind of game we should be looking forward to and, if we do things properly, we can certainly lay down a couple of markers."
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Did You Know?
+ Exeter’s home ground of St. James’ Park was previously an old field used for fattening pigs, with football played on the ground since 1904.
+ The Grecians are accepted as the first side to play a national team from Brazil as part of a tour to South America in 1914 to help promote football in the continent.
+ Famous fans of the club include TV presenter Noel Edmonds and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, while in 2002 Michael Jackson was made an honorary director.
Head to Head
The sides have met a total of 61 times in all competitions with United having won 19 and drawn 17 of those clashes.
|
|
Exeter wins |
Draws |
Carlisle wins |
|
League |
24 |
16 |
19 |
|
Cup |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Total |
25 |
17 |
19 |
We last met the Grecians for the opening game of this season for an encounter which was played out in blistering heat. Early goals for the hosts from Nicky Law and Jonathan Forte set the Blues on the back foot, but Richie Bennett glanced a header into the net before the break to keep the Cumbrians in the hunt. There were chances to level it in the second period but Tristan Abrahams scored late in the day to make sure Exeter took the points.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Our last meeting prior to that was a 1-1 draw, again in Exeter, towards the end of last season. Ashley Nadesan scored the Carlisle goal in what was a very keenly fought game.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
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Man in the middle
Our referee for this game is Mr Matthew Donohue. He has taken charge of 26 games so far this season and has shown 89 yellow cards and five reds.
New to the Football League this season, he has made just one previous visit to take charge as our man in the middle - and that was for our defeat when we hosted Tranmere back in September. The goals came late, with Tom Parkes turning the ball into his own net with 10 minutes left to play, and the points were sealed when Mullin doubled the advantage just before the full time whistle. Parkes and Jamie Devitt had their names taken on the day.
Referee - Matthew Donohue
Assistant Referee 1 - Chris Isherwood
Assistant Referee 2 - Gary Hilton
Fourth Official - Geoffrey Liddle
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Ticket information:
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