After the gentle ‘loosener’ at Whitehaven, Reds are preparing for a much tougher examination when Carlisle United make their annual visit to Borough Park on Thursday (7.45pm).

Whilst Reds were putting nine goals past hapless Whitehaven, United were easing to a 1-0 victory over Blyth Spartans at Croft Park. Reds used eighteen players in their first outing, with just Sam Smith and Josh Calvert on the pitch for the full ninety minutes. United, meanwhile, gave game time to twenty four players in the north east with one of those introduced in the second half, Antony Sweeney, netting the deciding goal.

Derek Townsley will be a bit more conservative with his substitutions against the Blues and will draft Kyle May, Alex Salmon and Gareth Arnison into the squad. Keith Curle will again field a different eleven in each half as he gives those on trial another opportunity to impress.

Reds will be hoping to match, or better, Blyth’s performance against the Cumbrians and will be delighted if they can draw a similar crowd to the 600 which turned out at Croft Park.

BBC Radio Cumbria will be covering the game, and our own Paul Armstrong will provide the excellent Live Scoreboard facility via the website.

Admission:

Adult £8

Concession £5

U16s £1

A ‘mini’ programme (£1.50) has been produced for the game.