MATCHDAY GUIDE: HORNCHURCH (H)

Carlisle United take on Hornchurch at Brunton Park on Saturday 22 August (12:30pm kick-off).

Here is all the key information you need ahead of the game.

Preview

Match details:

Opponents - Hornchurch

Competition - Enterprise National League

Location - Brunton Park

Date - Saturday 22 August 2026

Time - 12:30pm

Factfile:

Founded - 1923

Nickname - The Urchins

Manager - Daryl McMahon

Previous season finish - 2nd in the Enterprise National League South

Opposition player to watch:

Sam Ling will be one to watch for Hornchurch after playing a key role in their historic promotion to the National League last season.

The experienced defender came through the youth system at Leyton Orient and went on to make 87 appearances for the O's during his first spell with the club. He later joined Dagenham & Redbridge, where he spent several seasons and became an established figure in their defence.

Ling returned to Leyton Orient in 2018 and helped the club establish themselves back in the Football League before returning to Dagenham & Redbridge in 2021.

The 33-year-old joined Hornchurch in January 2026 and made an immediate impact, making his debut in a 2-1 victory over Weston-super-Mare. He went on to become an important part of the side during their promotion run.

Ling scored the winning goal in Hornchurch's 3-2 extra-time victory over Torquay United in the National League South play-off final, securing the club's first-ever promotion to the National League.

Recent Results:

Saturday 15 August 2026 - Barrow 1-2 Hornchurch

Saturday 8 August 2026 - Hornchurch 3-0 Kidderminster Harriers

Saturday 1 August 2026 - Hornchurch 2-0 Coventry City under-21s

Tuesday 28 July 2026 - Enfield Town 4-2 Hornchurch

Saturday 25 July 2026 - Hornchurch 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur under-21s 

How to watch/listen:

The game is available to watch live on DAZN.

UK-based supporters will be able to listen to the game on BBC Radio Cumbria via BBC Sounds. Non-UK residents can also hear the commentary via BBC.com and the BBC App.

Match Officials

Referee - Gareth Thomas

Assistant Referee 1 - Paul Newhouse

Assistant Referee 2 - Matthew Malton

Fourth Official - Abid Hussain

TICKETING

Pricing:

• The West side ticket offices will open at 9am
• The matchday ticket offices will open at 11am.
• Turnstiles will open at 11am.
• A reminder that an adult must accompany under-14s as part of National League regulations.
• Ticket prices go up by £3 on matchday - purchase HERE!

Commercial

Hospitality:

• A first-team player will be taking part in a Q&A in the East Stand Lounges.

BLUES STORE

• The Blues Store will be open from 9am until 3:30pm.
• The Blues pop-up shop in the Northern Competitions Fan Zone is open from 10am until half-time.

FOOD & DRINK

Opening times:

• The Northern Competitions Fan Zone will open from 10am.
• Glass Bar and Murphy's Bar will open from 10am.
• The Nags Head Horse Box will open from 10am, offering a selection of ales.

Drink:

• The Pre-Order Point is now situated on the wall next to the B Stand entrance in the Fan Zone, which can be used for ordering all drinks for pre-match and half-time. The drinks can be collected from the Collection Point in the right-hand hatch of The Chicken Shack.

Food:

• Angel Lane Chippie Van
• Coffee Rambler
• Chaat and Chai-Indian Street Food
• Shake Waffle and Roll
• Greyhound Burger Van
• Cumbria Whippy Ice Cream Van
• Cumbria Roast Company Yorkshire Puddings
• The Chicken Shack
• Free Fresh Fruit provided by Interfresh available in the main Fan Zone Bars and Children’s Fan Zone in the East Stand

Happy Hour:

Up until 11am, supporters can enjoy £3.50 a pint on:

• Fosters
• Ullswater Blonde
• John Smiths
• Heineken
• Inches Cider

COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTER ENGAGEMENT

• Face painting in the EDI Gazebo.
• Carlisle Matters free uniform giveaway and Swop Shop 10am - 12pm. Come along and pick up free new and pre-loved school uniform, helping families get ready for the new school year while giving perfectly good uniform a new home. Whether you need a few extra bits, something your little one has suddenly grown out of, or you simply want to save some money on the back-to-school shop come and have a look.
• The Family Zone will be open from 11am.
• Carlisle United Supporters Trust will be at their gazebo in the Fan Zone before the match.

FIRST TIME VISITORS

Thanks to the generous support of the London Branch Supporters Club, young fans attending their first Carlisle United match* can make their visit to Brunton Park even more memorable with our First-Time Visitor Scheme.

Open to children under 13, the club offers first-time visitors a special goodie bag of club-themed surprises and a personalised certificate to commemorate their first game.

After purchasing match tickets, contact ticketoffice@carlisleunited.co.uk by 5pm the day before the game. Goodie bags can then be collected from the pop-up Blues Store in the Fan Zone on matchday.

*Excludes supporters attending through the Community Ticket Scheme.

HALF-TIME – BIG SHOT

Our half-time game, Big Shot, gives you the chance to win £1,000 at every home fixture.

A maximum of 20 lucky fans will step onto the Brunton Park pitch at the break and take one shot at kicking a size-five football through a 14-inch hole in the target on the Warwick Road End goal line.

Entry is just £5 per person, with £1 from every entry donated to Carlisle United Community Sports Trust.

Book your place online HERE!

PARKING

• Parking is also available at the rugby club - £5 for four hours, pay & display (carlislerugby.club).
• Local streets operate as disc zones and offer two hours of free parking. Please park considerately, not on double yellow lines or blocking driveways.
• For details of council city centre car parks, click HERE!

MATCHDAY PLAYLIST

• Got a song for matchday? Email media@carlisleunited.co.uk for your chance to hear it at Brunton Park.

MATCHDAY CONDUCT

We would like to take this opportunity to remind fans of the importance of positive behaviour throughout the matchday experience. We encourage everyone to arrive early, enjoy the build-up respectfully, and support the team with enthusiasm once the action begins. If you witness anything that doesn’t feel right or an incident occurs, please alert a steward or a member of the stadium team so it can be addressed quickly and appropriately. Together, we can help ensure a safe, welcoming atmosphere for all.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse at Brunton Park.