Carlisle face Forest Green in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup competition on Saturday and they know they're in for a stiff test as they go up against one of League Two's high-flyers.
Both teams had potential banana skins to deal with in round one, with Saturday's hosts making easy pickings of Billericay Town on their own patch. United, of course, kicked things off in the last round with a Friday night victory over Dulwich Hamlet in front of the TV cameras.
Forest Green have made themselves a tough team to beat this season, as demonstrated by the fact that they've lost just four games in the league so far, but they missed out on the chance of going top of the pile on Tuesday night when they were held to a goalless draw by Crewe.
They've lost just one of their last five games and in Joe Mills, Jack Aitchison, Matt Stevens and Ebou Adams they have a string of dangerous options when it comes to the attacking areas of the pitch. The quartet have bagged 18 goals between them.
An attractive style of football has been matched by a hard work ethic and the summer addtions have strengthened the squad, and they'll be looking to add a cup run to their early season claim to a top three place.
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From the head coach
Speaking ahead of the game, Chris Beech said: “It’s a great way for me to start at this club. It’s a place I’ve never been to so I’m looking forward to seeing it for the first time.
"It’s a place I’ve missed out on with them being a little bit lower, but obviously they’re in the ascendancy now.
“The pitch will be brilliant, the opponents will be brilliant, so we’ll have to be extra brilliant to make sure we beat them. I know Coops, he’s a good lad, he’s been manager a long time, I have a lot of respect for Mark Cooper.
“Obviously we’d all enjoy a cup run. I want to go on one and I’m sure the Carlisle supporters and players do. But I’m sure everyone attached to Forest Green also wants that. That’s why we have to make sure we’re ready to fight and battle and play our game.”
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Head2Head
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Forest Green wins | |
| League | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 3 | 2 | 2 |
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Highlights from previous meetings
It was a stalemate here at Brunton Park when these sides met in league action in September. Chances came and went, but the feisty encounter went without goals as five players were booked and one sent off (James Morton).
Watch the highlights from that game here:
United came away from the New Lawn with a 1-1 draw in March this year, having largely dominated the game. Nathan Thomas bagged the goal, but there were a number of opportunities missed by the Blues as they battled, but ultimately failed, to take all three points.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
It was Rovers who took the honours when they came north in November, earlier in that season, with goals from Ben Morris and Carl Winchester giving them a two-goal cushion. A late penalty from Jamie Devitt gave the Blues some hope, but the away side held out to take all three points.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The December 2017 away trip to the New Lawn brought an early Christmas present for the Blue Army as Richie Bennett headed home what turned out to be the winner just before the half hour.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
It was the same scoreline here at Brunton Park in January 2018 with the only goal of the game coming in almost the same minute. This time it was Jamie Devitt who found the back of the net when he arrived late to smash a volley into the bottom corner as the ball fell nicely at his feet.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
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The man in the middle
Our referee for this game is Mr Trevor Kettle. Trevor has taken charge of 15 games so far this season and has shown 44 yellow cards and four reds.
He was last in charge of one of our games when we faced Colchester United at the Weston Homes in February last season. The U's equalised late in the day, after Hallam Hope had put the Blues ahead early in the second half, and Anthony Gerrard, Stefan Scougall and Mark Cullen all went into the official's notebook.
Prior to that he was our man in the middle for our trip to Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena in September 2017. Second half goals from Duckens Nazon and Peter Vincenti gave the Sky Blues a comfortable two-goal victory and Danny Grainger, Luke Joyce and Hallam Hope had their names taken on the day.
Referee - Trevor Kettle
Assistant Referee 1 - Steven Plane
Assistant Referee 2 - Darren Wilding
Fourth Official - Mark Derrien
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Is that a fact?
Forest Green reached the final of the FA Trophy in 1999, making them the first side to reach the final of both the FA Trophy and the FA Vase.
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Match tickets
Full match ticket details are HERE.
You can purchase your tickets online HERE.
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