Preview: Carlisle United (H)

20 August 2019

The Jonny-Rocks Stadium plays host to its first midweek League Two fixture of the season this evening when Carlisle United are the visitors (kick-off: 7.45pm).

Cheltenham's first home fixture against Scunthorpe United proved to be a fruitful day in front of goal as Michael Duff's side collected their first three points of the season with a good 4-1 win.

The Robins boss will now be looking to follow up that home performance with another one tonight in the first of two home games in the space of five days at the Jonny-Rocks.

Swindon Town are also the visitors on Saturday in a week of two big home fixtures for Cheltenham, who will look to build on the point earned at Morecambe on Saturday, for what's sure to be a good battle against a Carlisle team looking to make the most of a long day on the road.

Team news

Chris Clements could return to the squad after the midfielder missed Saturday's game through illness. It may be too soon for Alex Addai to return though.

He may join a definite absentees list that includes Reuben Reid, Will Boyle and the banned Rohan Ince.

Watch Michael Duff's pre-match press conference:

Opposition

From their opening three League Two fixtures Carlisle have won one and lost two. They defeated Crawley Town on the opening day of the season but have lost in two tough fixtures against Swindon and Mansfield.

In the Carabao Cup, they picked up an impressive first round win, beating Barnsley 3-0 away from home.

Managed by former Scotland international Steven Pressley (pictured below), who has 32 caps for his country, the Cumbrians also have former Watford defender David Holdsworth as Director of Football.

Their squad features experienced goalkeeper Adam Collin who is also their captain, while at the back former Peterborough United defender Nathanial Knight-Percival and Millwall man Byron Webster line up alongside the likes of long serving Partick Thistle full back Christie Elliott.

In midfield another experienced head in Mike Jones features alongside the width provided by Sheffield United loanee Nathan Thomas and ex-Everton youngster Hallam Hope.

Their front line features ex-Aston Villa youngster Harry McKirdy, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Newport County, while Newcastle United loanee Elias Sørensen, Olufela Olomola and another loan player - Ryan Loft from Leicester City - are others in contention to be part of their attacking set-up.

Elsewhere in League Two

There is a full schedule of matches taking place in the division tonight. League leaders Swindon Town host Northampton at the County Ground, while Oldham Athletic, the only side yet to pick up a point this season, host Exeter City.

Macclesfield, who have appointed Daryl McMahon as their new manager to replace Sol Campbell, take on Morecambe at Moss Rose. New boys Salford City face a long trip south to Plymouth Argyle.

Here is tonight's full schedule of games:

Cambridge United v Scunthorpe United
Cheltenham Town v Carlisle United
Crawley Town v Crewe Alexandra
Grimsby Town v Colchester United
Macclesfield Town v Morecambe
Mansfield Town v Leyton Orient
Oldham Athletic v Exeter City
Plymouth Argyle v Salford City
Port Vale v Forest Green
Stevenage v Bradford City
Swindon Town v Northampton Town
Walsall v Newport County

Tickets

Tickets are available to buy on the night at the turnstiles. They can also be bought online here.

The ticket office will be open for fans before kick-off wanting to buy tickets for the upcoming home match with Swindon Town on Saturday.

You can also visit the club shop this evening to buy Robins merchandise before the game.

Match programme

Copies of tonight's match programme will be on sale around the stadium and from the club shop priced at £3.

Included in this evening's copy:

A big interview with new loan striker Gavin Reilly
Tahvon Campbell picks his dream 5-a-side team
Under-18s boss Pete Haynes reflects on his team's start to the Youth Alliance season
Ben Tozer has his say on Saturday and Tuesday's clash
Scott Flinders previews the match
Manager Michael Duff pens his programme notes
Ryan Broom is in the hotseat for the quickfire Q&A
Commercial manager John Finnigan discusses commerical progress over the summer
The Gloucestershire Echo speak to former scholar Will Dawes
Find out the latest on the transfers involving former Robins players
Everything you need to know about the opposition
The latest from the Ladies team set-up after their season opener
Plus much more

Coverage

Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news, updates and images from the game. You can also check out updates on the club's Facebook page.

Check out the club website for a match report and post-match reaction from the management and players.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Robins 2-0 Carlisle United

20 August 2019

Apologies, this video is unvailable.

Cheltenham Town extended their impressive home record with this well earned win over Carlisle United, taking their tally to seven points in the opening four matches of the season.

First half goals by Gavin Reilly and Luke Varney settled this one to stretch the Robins' unbeaten home record to 12 and leave them in the giddy heights of fifth at this embryonic stage of the season.

The last time they lost at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium was back in January but that record is likely to be tested this coming Saturday when Swindon Town visit.

But on this evidence that local derby is likely to be a lively one. Cheltenham were excellent before the break and showed resilience for large parts of the second half as the visitors rallied to get back into the game.

Duff was forced into a single change to the side that returned from Morecambe with a point three days ago. Chris Clements returned in midfield for Max Sheaf, who came off in the closing stages at the Globe Arena with a niggling hamstring injury.

Aston Villa loanee Reilly had drawn an early save from Adam Collin before claiming his first goal for the club after a quarter of an hour, meeting Jake Doyle-Hayes' pinpoint cross with a firm header to cap a well worked corner move down the right.

Cheltenham went on to dominate the remainder of the first half with Charie Raglan hitting a post with a downward header and Luke Varney seeing a goal chalked off for offside, seven minutes before the interval.

At the other end Nathan Thomas hit one well over from the edge of the box but the first half belonged to the Robins and they doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time through Varney, racing onto a perfect angled ball by Chris Clements and beating Collin with a typically measured finish to notch his first of the campaign.

Reilly was unfortunate to have one disallowed immediately after the restart after he met Josh Debayo's cross from the left to bundle home, only for it to be ruled out for a foul on the Carlisle number one. It looked as if Collin had been impeded by his own defender.

Next Scott Flinders was called into his first meaningful save of the contest, reacting sharply to turn away Harry McKirdy's shot on the turn from 12 yards. He then safely held a Thomas free-kick as Carlisle enjoyed a spell of attacking pressure.

Sheffield United loanee Thomas was causing all sorts of problems and had a better effort saved with 20 minutes remaining, Flinders diving to his right to punch away the danger as the visitors built momentum.

Ryan Broom saw a couple of late chances go wide, but in the end that was immaterial as the Robins held firm to claim the points.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2): Flinders; Raglan, Tozer (c), Greaves; Long, Doyle-Hayes, Broom, Clements, Debayo (Hussey 71); Reilly (Lloyd 79), Varney (Campbell 85). Subs not used: Bowry, Thomas, Brennan, Lovett (Gk).

CARLISLE UNITED (4-3-3): Collin (c), Elliott, Webster, Knight-Percival, Iredale; Bridge (Sagaf 89), Jones, Scougall; Thomas, Loft (Olomola 46), McKirdy (Hope 71). Subs not used: Mellish, Gary (Gk), Branthwaite, Sorensen.

REFEREE: W Finnie

ATTENDANCE: 2,634 (207 from Carlisle)

Ticket News

Tickets: Get behind the Robins against Carlisle and Swindon

18 August 2019

It may still only be the opening month of the season, but Cheltenham Town face two huge home fixtures in a week at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

On Tuesday Carlisle United make the long journey south to Gloucestershire for a 7.45pm kick-off under lights, and then on Saturday it is a big clash with Swindon Town, who have made a table topping start to the new League Two season.

They are both big games for Michael Duff's charges who have made a good start to the campaign themselves and are keen to extend their fantastic form at the Jonny-Rocks - the Robins haven't lost on home turf since January.

Tickets for both games are on sale and are available to buy online at any time.

The ticket office is also open from 10am on Tuesday, while tickets can be purchased at the turnstiles in home areas for both matches.

Supporters aged 11 and under can enjoy Junior Robins membership for £20, plus £1 a game, this season.

There are lots of great benefits in being a Junior Robin for the club's young fans. To find out more and to sign up click here.