The Cumbrians |
Carlisle
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 |
The
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 |
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. |
|