PREVIEW: Bristol Rovers

Carlisle United host the Rovers of Bristol this weekend with both teams enjoying good runs of form.

Match Sponsor - Scott Beeby

With us to celebrate his 40th birthday - have a great day!

Associate Sponsor - Gordons Construction

Click HERE to visit the official Gordons Construction website.

Match Ball Sponsor - Malcolm & Yvonne Millar

Thank you once again to Malcolm and Yvonne - regular sponsors of the club..

Match Ball Delivery System - Ascott Transport Ltd

Click HERE to visit the ATL official website.

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Eight wins, two draws and one defeat make up an impressive last 11 resume, with the Pirates hitting form at exactly the right time.

This confident run, capped off by an away success at fellow promotion hopefuls Northampton last weekend, has taken them to level on points with two other clubs, with a spread of just the one point across the upper reaches of the division.

The aforementioned confidence has manifested itself into four consecutive victories, leaving themselves with it all to play for over the remaining eight games.

A regular at left-back is former-United skipper Nick Anderton, and it'll be good to see him again this coming Saturday.

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Forward Aaron Collins took a while to get going this season, but he exploded into life in December and has been a regular on the scoresheet since.

13 in total (12 in the last 20) has coincided with a real upturn in form the team and there's no doubt he'll be looking to work the back line hard.

He's our weekend one to watch.

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With it being an international weekend, you can WATCH this game via our iFollow streaming service.

Click HERE to purchase a video match pass. 

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.

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United's October visit to the South West was a bad one, with Rovers one goal to the good by half time. Two late strikes rubbed salt into the wounds and secure a 3-0 home win.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

It was a tight encounter at Brunton Park back in March 2016 with Carlisle twice being pegged back before Jason Kennedy popped what proved to be the winner into the net late in the game. Jack Stacey and Charlie Wyke had already scored for the Blues, with Billy Bodin and Matty Taylor finding the nets for the visitors.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

The Pirates took the honours at the Memorial Stadium in November 2015 with a brace from Matty Taylor.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

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Referee - Andy Haines
Assistant Referee 1 - Gary Hilton
Assistant Referee 2 - Robert Atkin
Fourth Official - David Avent
Observer - Michael Pike

Image removed.Mr Haines has taken charge of 29 games so far this season showing 76 yellow cards and one red.

We saw him in January 2022 for our 2-0 home win over Bradford. Jordan Gibson netted on the stoke of half-time, Omari Patrick sealed it late in the day, and there were no Carlisle names taken on the day.

He was at Brunton Park in November 2020 for our defeat at the hands of soon to be promoted Cheltenham Town. Jon Mellish scored on the stroke of half time, but the Robins were already two goals to the good, and they ended up claiming the win. There were no bookings that afternoon.

We also had him for the pre-lockdown game against Cheltenham in February 2020. They won 1-0 and Gethin Jones was the only Carlisle name taken on the day.

He was last at Brunton Park prior to that for our 1-0 home victory over FA Cup replay with Forest Green in December 2019. Aaron Hayden scored his first goal for the club - the only goal of the game - and Ryan Loft went in the book on the night.

He was also here for the 2-1 home win over Macclesfield in November 2019. Harry McKirdy and Ryan Loft scored the Carlisle goals and Mike Jones and Canice Carroll had their names taken on the day.

Prior to that he was here in March 2019 for our 2-2 draw with Cambridge. The U's went ahead with just three minutes on the clock, but goals from Jamie Devitt and Nathan Thomas gave the Blues the lead before the break. Former-United favourite Jabo Ibehre bagged midway through the second period to make it a share of the spoils on the day. Danny Grainger and Mike Jones received bookings during the game.

He was also with us just three months earlier for our Boxing Day meeting with Oldham. United ran riot with goals from Hope, Yates [2], Nadesan, Grainger and Liddle securing a thumping 6-0 victory. Kelvin Etuhu was the only Carlisle name taken on the night.

Earlier in the 2018/19 season he was up here for our Checkatrade Trophy group fixture against Morecambe. A tight game saw the Shrimps twice take the lead through goals from Oliver and Piggott. Glendon and Gillesphey pegged them back for the Blues, and that set it up for Jerry Yates to grab a late winner. There were no United names taken on the night.

We saw Mr Haines twice in season 2017/18, both at Brunton Park, starting with our opening day fixture against Swindon Town. Luke Joyce scored our only goal in a 2-1 defeat, and Mike Jones was the only Carlisle name to be written down.

Our second meeting had a much more pleasant outcome as we beat Oldham Athletic 3-2 in the FA Cup. Richie Bennett (2) and Hallam Hope gave us a three goal cushion but there was still time to bite the fingernails as Peter Clarke and Aaron Holloway bit back to make it a nervy ending to the game. There were no Carlisle bookings that afternoon.

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Don't forget that ticket prices increase by £3 on a match day.

Click HERE for full home match ticket details, including prices and purchase options.

Click HERE to purchase your match tickets online.

Alternatively, you can purchase your tickets in-person here at our main ticket office during office hours (Pioneer Stand), online by clicking HERE, or over the phone by ringing 0330 094 5930 (option 1).

 
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