United and Sutton come together for a first encounter with the Yellows having secured promotion to the ranks of the Football League for the first time in their 123-year history last term.
Located in Surrey, the Borough Sports Ground [VBS Community Stadium] has witnessed steady progression over the last 15 years, culminating in the step up as champions of the National League for the team at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Slightly older fans will recall that Sutton enjoyed a memorable FA Cup run back in the 1988/89 season when they romped through the qualifying rounds and the first and second rounds proper with victories over Walton & Hersham, Dagenham and Aylesbury United, to tee-up a tie with First Division Coventry City, who had actually won the trophy just 18-months earlier.
The U's won 2–1 with goals from Tony Rains and Matthew Hanlan and were darlings of the nation following their stunning efforts.
A steady run of form over the last five games has seen Sutton win back-to-back fixtures in their last two home games (Stevenage and Hartlepool) and draw on the long trip up to Scunthorpe.
That will be a relief, with the early part of September marred by an outbreak of Covid within the camp. And bear in mind that pitch renewal issues had kept them away from their own turf until the end of the first month of the campaign (that ended as a 2-1 away win for Oldham).
It's still very tight at the bottom, with just the one point between the trailing eight sides, but the signs are there that the league new boys have settled and are ready to push on.
Late August activity saw the popular Isaac Olaofe return to the Surrey based club on a season-long loan. He netted 14 goals in 37 outings last term, before returning to Millwall, and has already spoken about his delight at being able to carry that on.
It has to be Richie Bennett, hasn't it? He has two for the season so far, having bagged both in the club's first ever EFL win - a 2-1 victory over Stevenage - and is currently leading the line.
Richie scored 12 goals in 73 appearances for United in his two-year spell at the club and can be a real handful on his day.
Tall, strong and with an eye for goal, he'll look to put himself about and will be a threat from set pieces.
Don't forget to say hello to another former-Blue, Dean Bouzanis. He was here in Carlisle some seven years ago and he made his 50th appearance for the U's last weekend.
Click HERE to purchase an audio match pass which will allow you to listen to this game via our streaming iFollow service.
With match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through the season.
Match audio passes are available for ALL EFL league games - click HERE to find out more about this season’s iFollow United service.
There have been no previous meetings between these two sides.
Referee - Simon Mather
Assistant Referee 1 - Joseph Stokes
Assistant Referee 2 - Paul Kelly
Fourth Official - Mark Derrien
Observer - David Crick
Our referee for this fixture is Mr Simon Mather. He has taken charge of five games so far this season and has shown three red cards and 25 yellows.
This is his first full season on the EFL list and the first time he has been in charge of a Carlisle United fixture.
We have been given the full away allocation, a total of 566 tickets.
This includes 122 seated tickets (SOLD OUT) and 444 terraced tickets.
Dates of sale:
| Date | Time |
| Thursday 23 September | 10am to 4pm |
Prices:
Seated:
| Adult | £25 |
| Senior 60+ | £18 |
| Junior 11-18 | £11 |
| *Child 0-10 | £5 |
Terraced:
| Adult | £20 |
| Senior 60+ | £13 |
| Junior 11-18 | £6 |
| *Child 0-10 | FoC |
*Child 0-10 can only be purchased with an adult or senior ticket.
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Methods of purchase: