A much better run of results since the turn of the year has seen the Gills climb away from immediate danger, and two wins and two draws from their six games leading into the Tuesday night home meeting with Crewe have certainly helped to lift spirits.
The midweek fixture brought more joy as Gillingham scored twice in the second half to secure the points that just about guarantees their safety.
Goals were the problem leading up to Christmas, with one of the lowest goals for columns seen for many years a real problem to be solved.
Neil Harris has done that, with useful January window activity giving the squad a much more rounded feel.
A December takeover - American businessman Brad Galinson bought a majority stake in the club, bringing an end to Paul Scally's 27 years as owner of the Medway-based club - has heped to reinvigorate things on and off the pitch.
"There's chemistry between the pitch and the terraces and it's a great place to be at the moment," Harris told the local press.
"The fans have been desperate to see the club do well. Brad has invested in the club because he sees potential. He wants to build something over a period of time, and we've started well.
"We've got to be really careful that we don't get too carried away and too excited. It is going to take time to build the club. But the infrastructure is growing, and so is the quality in the changing room."
Experienced forward Oli Hawkins joined the Gills in January and he has two goals from his 13 appearances so far.
The 30-year-old has a wealth of experience with Portsmouth, Ipswich and Mansfield to draw on, and he'll be a threat whenever the home team look to get forward.
This game is available to WATCH via our match streaming service.
Click HERE to purchase a video match pass.
With match commentary also provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through this season.
Click HERE for more information on this season's iFollow coverage.
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Gillingham wins | |
| FA Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| League | 16 | 10 | 21 |
| League Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 19 | 11 | 21 |
A second half goal from Jon Mellsh was enough to secure a home win for the Blues against the Gills in August 2022.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
These teams met in an FA Cup replay here at Brunton Park in December 2017 (Danny Grainger equalised from the spot in the away tie, after Luke O'Neill had registered early on). Hallam Hope bagged a brace, but Scott Wagstaff gave the visitors their own kind of hope just after the break. Shaun Miller came off the bench to secure the win with almost the last kick of the encounter.
You can watch the official FA highlights from that game here:
The goals from our GoPro cam from that game are here:
Our league meeting at Brunton Park in February 2014 went the way of the Gills, with Joe Piggott and Cody McDonald on the scoresheet. Leon Legge scored an own goal in time added, but that was too little too late for the Blues.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Assistant Referee 1 - Adrian Waters
Assistant Referee 2 - Carl Fitch-Jackson
Fourth Official - Charles Breakspear
Observer - Kelvin Morton
Our referee for this game is Mr James Bell. He's taken charge of 12 games so far this season and has shown 46 yellows and three reds.
We saw him for the last game of our 2021/22 season at Valley Parade with the hosts taking the points with a 2-0 win. Jack Armer, Brennan Dickenson, Corey Whelan and Tyrese Omotoye were all booked.
James was with us for our dramatic 2-1 win over Northampton in March 2022. Tobi Sho-Silva gave us the lead, but the Cobblers scored late through Paul Lewis to burst the bubble - or so it seemed. A cool head from Jordan Gibson saw him smash an injury time penalty into the back of the net. Joe Riley was the only United name taken on the day.
He was at Brunton Park in November 2021 for the 1-1 Papa John's draw with Lincoln. Jack Armer scored the goal, and the Blues won on penalties to claim the bonus point. Callum Guy and Jon Mellish were booked for the hosts.
Papa John's Trophy group action brought Mr Bell north again in August 2021 for a goal-filled 3-3 encounter with Hartlepool. Taylor Charters, Manny Mampala and Tristan Abrahams scored the goals, and the Blues eventually won the shoot-out 4-3. Mampala was our only booking of the night.
Mr Bell was the referee for our home game against Leyton Orient in March 2021. The O's nicked it with a late Connor Wilkinson goal, and there were no home names recorded on the day.
He was our official for the away game at Port Vale in October 2020. Jon Mellish scored the winner and Lewis Alessandra was the only name taken on the day.
In the National League last season, he was the man in the middle for the August play-off final between Harrogate Town and Notts County prior to his pormotion to the league list.
We have received 433 seated tickets in the Gordon Road Stand, with more available if needed.
Prices:
| Concession | Price |
| Adult | £22 |
| Senior 65+ | £19 |
| Young Adult 18-21 | £14 |
| U18 | £10 |
| *U14 with a full paying adult ticket | £0 |
*U14’s must be purchased with a full paying adult ticket. One adult ticket is entitled to two free of charge U14 tickets, any further U14 tickets required will then be charged at the U18 rate.
Ambulant disabled and wheelchair info:
Wheelchair and ambulant supporters pay the relevant price with the carer free of charge.
Dates of sale:
| Date | Time |
| Thu 23 Mar | 10am – 4pm |
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Methods of purchase:
- In person – come to the Pioneer ticket office at the designated time. Sales on home match days will be from the west side ticket office (from 5.30pm on a midweek home match day).
- 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.
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If you wish to purchase bus travel you can organise this by calling CUSAT on 07563 700 987.