PREVIEW: Fleetwood

We've said this before, but it does really feel like these teams have played each other on cart loads of occasions.

However, friendlies and bounce games aside, we've only ever met in competitive fixtures five times, and never at all in the league.

The Cod Army have the slight advantage, with three wins to our two, and Tuesday will be the fourth time the teams have gone head to head in this particular trophy format.

Gime Toure had an eventful night in September 2020 when he scored, and got sent off, with him insisting that he'd done nothing wrong. Callum Camps and Harvey Saunders did the damage for the visitors, who comfortably won 3-1.

Fleetwood 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.

Another meeting came 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.

Fleetwood are League One's draw specialists, with four of the five league games heading into their weekend home game with Charlton ending as stalemates.

And, guess what - yep, you got it - Saturday's game was another that brought just the one point as Callum Morton's first half strike was cancelled out by Charlton's Miles Leaburn.

Their previous Papa Johns group game against Barrow also ended with a share of the points, and the bonus to be gained from the resulting shoot-out went the way of the Bluebirds as they netted four penalties, to the home side's three.

They haven't scored a bucket load, but neither do they concede many, and their current mid-table position is testament to the fact they've only lost once in their nine league outings.

Midfielder Dan Batty has over 50 appearances for the club to his name and he started this season in a rich vein, with two goals from his first two outings.

He covers the ground, breaks up the play and supports the forward movement at every opportunity. 

If he's playing, he'll need to be taken care of (but be aware that Fleetwood made a stack of changes for their last group game).

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.

Don't miss a kick - purchase your match pass and back the Blues from the comfort of your own home!

Highlights from the 3-1 home defeat on 1 September 2020:

Highlights from our pre-season meeting on 11 August 2020:

Highlights from the 4-2 home victory on 9 November 2016:

Referee - Rebecca Welch
Assistant Referee 1 - Ivan Stankovic
Assistant Referee 2 - David Avent
Fourth Official - Shaun Taylor
Observer - Russell Tiffin

Our referee for this game is Rebecca Welch. Rebecca has taken charge of five games so far this season, showing 12 yellow cards and no reds.

A veteran of Women's FA Cup finals and the National League, this is the fourth time she's officiated for a Carlisle United game.

She was in charge for the pre-season friendly meeting with Hebburn Town in July 2021 where Tristan Abrahams scored both goals (one from the spot) in a 2-0 victory.

And we saw her again for our 2-2 home draw with Scunthorpe at Brunton Park in September 2021. Jordan Gibson and Brennan Dickenson bagged a goal each in the closing stages to earn a 2-2- draw, and there were no United names taken on the day.

A humbling 3-0 defeat at Harrogate in April 2022 brought yellow cards for Morgan Feeney and Danny Devine, on a day largely to be forgotten for the Blues.

Home supporter areas of the ground that will be open are the Paddock for terracing and stands B & C for seating.

Away supporters will be situated in the EWM seating stand. Please contact Fleetwood Town ticket office directly to purchase tickets.

Prices:

*U14’s must be accompanied

Papa Johns will be offering any fan with a ticket to the match 50% off pizza in-store (valid any time), 7 days a week.

Methods of purchase:

• In person – come to the main ticket office at the designated time.
• Phone – ring the ticket office 03300 945 930 (option 1) at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.
• Internet – buy online HERE.