Derby Day

Reds will step-up their pre-season programme when they take on Carlisle United at Borough Park on Saturday afternoon, with the traditional Cumbrian derby kicking off at 3pm.

United always provide the stiffest examination in the build-up to the season proper and this will be no exception as Keith Curle’s new look squad will be well ahead of Reds in terms of preparation. They have been back over a fortnight, enjoyed a team-bonding outward bound course and have two games under their belt.

Reds, in contrast, have had just three training sessions and played their first game at Whitehaven on Tuesday. We eased back with a very comfortable 5-0 win in the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy on Tuesday while United lost narrowly to Queen of the South before winning 5-1 at Kendal Town.

The Blues will bring their full squad to west Cumbria supplemented by a handful of players on trial. Reds will again rely on a below strength squad with several players still on holiday.

David Hewson, the last player to score for Reds in this fixture, was pleased with the contribution of the Reserves players at Whitehaven and some of those will be involved again via the bench. Ex. Lancaster City striker, Tom Kilifin, is expected to make his Reds’ debut.

United emerged comfortable 3-0 winners twelve months ago thanks to goals from Asamoah, Osei and Kearns with earlier meeting resulting as follows: 2014 0-2, 2013 1-1, 2011 2-0, 2010 0-1, 2009 1-3 and 2008 3-1.

Admission:
Adult - £10
Concession - £6
U16s - £1

There will be a ‘team-sheet’ type programme issued.