It feels like these clubs play each other almost every week, but the reality is that we’re yet to face the Cod Army in league competition, with the four meetings of the teams so far being divided up into three games in the EFL Trophy and one in the EFL Cup.
Honours are even, with two victories each, but it was Fleetwood who drew first blood way back in November 2013 when goals either side of the break from David Ball and Antoni Sarcevic at Highbury knocked us out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
It was almost three years to the day before our paths crossed again, once more in the EFL Trophy, and this time a strong display saw Joe McKee, Charlie Wyke, Danny Grainger (pen) and Cameron Salkeld bag for the home side. Responses from Jack Sowerby and Alex Jakubiak weren’t enough to prevent United from claiming a 4-2 victory.
Extra time in the televised League Cup encounter at Highbury was needed in August 2017 after strikes from Shaun Miller and Jordy Hiwula had caused the stalemate. Substitute Tom Miller pounced to make it count for United as they battled their way to hard-earned progression.
The last meeting between these sides was just three months later, and this time it was Carlisle who played host. Jack Sowerby and Wes Hunt put the away team ahead in the first half, and a late consolation from Shaun Miller turned out to be exactly that as Fleetwood held onto their lead.
|
Carlisle wins |
Draws |
Fleetwood wins |
|
|
Cup |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
League Cup |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
2 |
0 |
2 |
The latest transfer activity completed by the Cod Army was the loan departure of Harrison Biggins to Barrow last week.
Conor McAleny also left the club, as he went to Oldham, but there was activity the other way with the capture of former-Huddersfield keeper Joel Coleman on a two-year deal midway through August.
Cumbrian-born midfielder Kyle Dempsey moved to Gillingham on a free transfer at the start of the month, and young Liverpool defender Morgan Boyes headed into Highbury on a season-long loan deal.
Lewie Coyle was another to move – he went to Hull for an undisclosed fee – meanwhile the experienced Matt Gilks headed to Bolton in what was a busy period of ins and outs, as stopper Billy Crellin made the same trip, but for him it was on a loan deal.
The first deal of the summer transfer window for Joey Barton was the two-year signing of Callum Cramps, who ended a seven-year stay with Rochdale when he put pen-to-paper on the first day of August.
There are some familiar faces in the Highbury ranks, with Paddy Madden a constant threat as he looks for goals.
Jack Sowerby enjoyed himself up here in Cumbria as he played in midfield and defence for the Blues, when five goals in 28 appearances between August 2018 and January 2019 endeared him to the Brunton Park faithful.
Cast an eye towards the bench and you’ll see assistant manager Clint Hill. His season with us in 2017/18 was typical of his professional approach to the game, and Carlisle have the honour of being the last club he played for before he hung his boots up for the last time.
But the player to watch has to be experienced forward Ched Evans. Evans has commanded combined fees of over £3 million, with a three-year stay with Sheffield United particularly potent [2009 to 2012] as he averaged a goal every other game.
He initially joined Fleetwood on loan in the summer of 2018 and has scored 30 goals in his 76 appearances for his current club.
This fixture is available to stream direct to your device via our iFollow United service.
A match pass, which allows you to watch the game as it happens, with full accompanying match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, costs just £10 and can be purchased by clicking HERE.
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Highlights from our pre-season meeting on 11 August 2020:
Highlights from the 4-2 home victory on 9 November 2016:
Our match referee for this fixture is Benjamin Speedie.
This is the first time Mr Speedie has been the man in the middle for a Carlisle United fixture.
Referee - Benjamin Speedie
Assistant Referee 1 - Matthew Parry
Assistant Referee 2 - Gareth Mellor
Fourth Official - Adam Herczeg
This is a behind closed doors fixture.
Please see above for details on how to purchase a live streaming match pass to see all of the action on iFollow.
Alternatively click HERE to go directly to our iFollow United information page where you can also purchase your match pass - match passes cost £10 per game.