CARABAO CUP: First round opponents confirmed

Carlisle United have been drawn to face Barnsley in the first round of this season's Carabao Cup competition.

The Reds finished their League One campaign with a huge haul of 91 points last season, and their impressive brand of football earned them automatic promotion to the Championship, where they will ply their trade this season.

It's a first visit to Oakwell in a competitive fixture for United since the mid-80's and will provide an opportunity to notch another stadium off the list for many of the Blue Army.

Assistant manager Gav Skelton said: "I think anyone at any club will tell you that they want a home draw in cup competitions, but it's another fixture and it's there to be played for both sides, whatever the venue.

"Of course this will be tough, Barnsley are a Championship side for a reason, but it gives our lads a chance to go there and test themselves against very good players. 

"These are the fixtures you want to be involved in as a player and we will be going there to play our game and to look to get a result. Barnsley will know that, and I'm sure they won't be taking us for granted.

"It's a great competition, and this club has had some fantastic nights in it in recent years. We've been to places like QPR, and turned them over, and we gave one of the biggest teams in the world a fright when we went all the way to penalties at Anfield.

"It's a great game to look forward to at a very early and exciting stage of the season."

The tie will take place week beginning Monday 12 August - fixture date and details to be confirmed in due course.

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