United face Doncaster Rovers at Brunton Park on Saturday afternoon.
Match Sponsor - Aqua Pura
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Match Ball Sponsor - Volvo Trucks
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Match Ball Sponsor - McCalls Bakers
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Visiting boss Gary McSheffrey took the reins in almost impossible circumstances in December 2021 with the team floundering in 23rd position in League One.
Previously the youth team boss, he was initially appointed in an interim role. It was a tough start, with four successive defeats causing concern, and improved results through the final three months of the season proved to be too little too late as the club found themselves relegated come May.
They've settled well into the new campaign, and are currently neck and neck with the Blues on 21 points. They've lost just one of their last four league games (three wins and a draw) and have a strong squad assembled.
There was a blow for Donny and for football last week when forward Lee Tomlin announced that he was being forced to retire due to injury.
The 33-year-old played more than 500 club games in a career that took him from the non-league circuit to the top flight.
Tomlin signed for Rovers during the summer, and scored once in his ten appearances.
"You have to be honest with yourself," he said. "I have days when I can't pick my daughter up for more than two minutes. It's not a way I want to live."
George Miller is the obvious choice (which is why we've mentioned him) with six goals and two assists from 11 games played.
However, it has to be Adam Clayton. He netted three goals in 33 appearances for United back in the 2009/10 season and became a real favourite with his energetic and effective displays in midfield.
Now 33, he's edging towards 500 scareer appearances and is still a handful as he looks to help his team dictate the pace.
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With match commentary also provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team, with audio coverage available for every game.
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Doncaster wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| League | 23 | 16 | 23 |
| Total | 24 | 16 | 24 |
Doncaster were in Carlisle for FA Cup action in November 2020 and they secured progression to the second round thanks to two first half goals from Ben Whiteman. Jon Mellish got one back after the break, but the visitors held on to claim the win.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
It was just under four years before that FA Cup meeting that these sides had last met and it was United who ran out as winners here at Brunton Park. Nicky Adams set the Blues on their way in the first half, and Niall Mason put the ball into his own net to double the advantage with five minutes left to go. Tommy Rowe got a late consolation for the away side deep into time added on.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The visit to the Keepmoat earlier that season had seen the Blues battle their way to a 2-2 draw. Shaun Miller drew first blood, but Tommy Rowe and John Marquis struck to put Donny ahead heading into the break. The Cumbrians came out all guns firing and they got their reward when Jabo Ibehre levelled things up late in the day.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Referee - Peter Wright
Assistant Referee 1 - Paul Newhouse
Assistant Referee 2 - Darren Williams
Fourth Official - Peter Gooch
Observer - Edward Tarry
Our official for this fixture is Mr Peter Wright. He has taken charge of 11 games so far this season showing 38 yellow cards and no reds.
He was the match referee for our first game of the 2021/22 season which ended as a 0-0 draw with Colchester here in Carlisle. Corey Whelan and Jon Mellish had their names taken.
Peter was with us in April 2021 for our 0-0 home draw with Port Vale. Gime Toure came off the bench with just over 20 minutes left to play and he found himself in the book after a late challenge.
We saw Mr Wright in December 2020 when he came to Brunton Park for our 1-0 win over Mansfield. Omari Patrick scored our goal, but it was a busy day for bookings as Rhys Bennett, Paul Farman, Aaron Hayden, Jon Mellish and Joe Riley had their names taken.
Peter was our official at the beginning of the 2020/21 season when he took charge of the whistle for our trip to Glanford Park. A first half goal sunk the Blues, but there were no Carlisle names taken on the day.
He was also the referee just before the lockdown when we hosted Morecambe at Brunton Park. Cole Stockton and Aaron Wildig gave the visitors a two-goal lead, Omari Patrick struck back in time added on for the first half to get the Blues back into the game. Aaron Hayden completed the comeback midway through the second period. There were four yellows on the day, with Byron Webster, Elliot Watt and Nick Anderton going in the book for the hosts.
Prior to that we met up with him back in August 2019 when he was the man in the middle for our Carabao Cup game against Rochdale. Goals from Morley and Done in the first half left the Blues with a big job, but we lost 2-1 despite a decent spot kick finish from Jack Bridge. There were no Carlisle names taken on the night.
He made the step up from the national league for the 2018/19 season and we met him for the first time when he officiated our 1-0 away victory over Cheltenham in August 2018. Richie Bennett bagged the only goal of the game, just before the break, and Anthony Gerrard and Kelvin Etuhu had their names taken on the day.
His first visit to Brunton Park was for our 3-2 home defeat against MK Dons in March 2019. Stefan Scougall and Hallam Hope scored for the Blues and there were no Carlisle players booked that afternoon.
Don't forget that ticket prices increase by £3 on a match day.
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