Carlisle United

v Wrexham

Saturday 17 December 2005

 

Kick Off @ 15:00



The Cumbrians

Paul SimpsonCarlisle have acclimatised well to life back in league football after their promotion from the Conference via the play offs last season. Following the 1-1 draw at Peterborough last weekend the Cumbrians have climbed to third place in the league and manager Paul Simpson has been pleased with his side's progress, admitting it was 'superb to look at'.

"It's superb to look at it, Simpson explained to the Official Web Site. "I got a bit of a shock on Saturday when I was told that we'd jumped up a couple of places. It really does set it up nicely for the next two home games because I always feel that if you do the job right on your own patch then you can afford the odd draw away from home. Now, it puts more emphasis on the fact that we have to do it right against Wrexham to make the efforts on our travels even more worthwhile."

Wrexham will come up against League two's player of the month in the form of Carlisle's leading scorer Karl Hawley. The former Raith striker was given the award after scoring five goals last month and has found the back of the net on 15 occasions this season.

Past Encounters

Simon SpenderThe teams last met in August with Carlisle inflicting Wrexham's only home league of the season with a 1-0 victory at the Racecourse. The only goal came in the second half after Simon Spender had been sent off and Jon Walters missed a last minute penalty to deny Wrexham a point.

The clubs have met on 82 occasions in the with Wrexham winning 39 games, Carlisle having won 21 of the encounters and there have been 19 draws.

Form Guide

Wrexham: DWLWDLWD

League Position: 8th (21 games)

Carlisle: WLWWWLWD

League Position: 3rd (21 games)

Carlisle bounced back from a home defeat against Wycombe with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at Rushden & Diamonds and last week's 1-1 draw at Peterborough. Prior to the Wycombe defeat Carlisle had won their previous three games which included victories Blackpool, Oxford and Torquay. Carlisle also recorded their largest victory of the season with a 6-0 thrashing of Stockport at Brunton Park.

Wrexham lie three points behind Carlisle just outside of the play off spots following last week's home draw against Notts County and 4-1 victory over Mansfield. The Mansfield win came on the back of two games without a win, a defeat at Boston and a draw at home to Peterborough after previously coming away from Oxford with a 3-0 victory. Wrexham's form lies at home with the Mansfield win their seventh of the season at home in the league.

Bookies View

Carlisle are odds on favourites with most bookies but you can get evens with Stan James and Bet Odd or Even. Bet 365 are pricing the draw at 12/5 with the Wrexham win out at 11/4 with Tote Sport and Centre Bet.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Denis Smith has received an early Christmas present with Lee McEvilly and Dennis Lawrence passing themselves fit from foot and rib injuries respectively. Also included in the squad following lengthy layoffs are Shaun Pejic, Jim Whitley and Andy Holt although all three are unlikely to be fully match fit. This leaves Levi Mackin as the only player unavailable.

Wrexham Squad (20): Ingham, Michael Jones, Roche, Bayliss, Danny Williams, Lawrence, Mike Williams, Warhurst, Smith, Bennett, Crowell, Ferguson, Mark Jones, Spender, McEvilly, Walters, Foy, Holt, Pejic, Whitley.

Carlisle Team News: Carlisle manager Paul Simpson is delighted after receiving the news top scorer Karl Hawley does not require hernia surgery and he is set to continue his partnership with former Leeds striker Michael Bridges. Surgery would have meant the striker would be out of action for six weeks and means Simpson can choose from a fully fit squad for the game.

Officials: The match referee is Jonathon Moss from Yorkshire and he is assisted by Will Ramsay and Paul Varley with Chris Brumwell from Cumbria as the fourth official. Jonathon Moss has refereed 14 games sending off 3 players and booking 43 at an average of 3.07 per game.


League 2 Fixtures:

Oxford Utd v Lincoln City (Friday)
Boston United v Cheltenham
Bristol Rovers v Torquay
Bury v Wycombe
Carlisle v Wrexham
Chester v Rushden & Diamonds
Darlington v Grimsby
Macclesfield v Barnet
Mansfield v Peterborough
Northampton v Shrewsbury
Notts County v Stockport
Rochdale v Leyton Orient

Venue Guide

Address: Brunton Park Stadium, Warwick Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 1LL.

Telephone Number: 01228 526237

Fax Number: 01228 530138

Carlisle Websites

How to get there?

By Car: Leave the M6 at junction 43 taking the first exit off the roundabout to join the the A69. Follow the signs for Carlisle and after two miles the ground will become visible on your right. After passing through the third set of lights you will be by the main entrance to the ground.

By Train: Nearest Train Station is Carlisle and is a fifteen minute walk from the ground or a taxi will cost you no more than £4. If you prefer prefer to travel by foot walk out of the station and over the lights and then walk around The Crescent. Follow the road round to the left and then turn right onto Warwick Road. Continue down Warwick Road and after about a mile the ground will be on your left. Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

When you are there
Car Parking: Continue past the ground and at the next lights take right hand lanes to turn right and right again after 100 yards into St Aidans Road. At the end of this road keep right to enter the main car park.

Beer and Grub: You will find the Beehive just past the ground and although it is predominantly used by home fans it does allow in a small number of away supporters. If travelling from the station the first pub you will come along is The Griffin with its plus point being cheep beer. Other pubs are the Rugby Club located just past the ground on your right but the White House does now allow away fans in they are wearing colours! If you are stuck for time then the new East Stand also has a bar. Chips shops in the town centre offer something different, like haggis and black pudding in batter, and the Ground food has improved dramatically in recent seasons.

Cash Machines: The Beehive conveniently has a machine and you will find more at the Tesco store down Warwick Road.

How much to get in?

East Stand: Adults £16, Concessions £8, Under 11's £3. Entrance via turnstiles 17-21 located at the North End of the East Stand.

Disabled Facilities

Priority parking is given to badge holders in the car park described above and this is located near the North Stand. There are 8 wheelchair spaces for away fans and two adapted toilets situated at each end of the East Stand. Positions are a pitch level with helpers sitting alongside and match commentary is available. The DSA is Christine Metcalfe and she can be contacted on 01228 526237.

Weather Forecast

Sunny intervals with temperatures reaching a maximum of 4 degrees Celsius and a 14 mph north westerly wind.