Preview: Carlisle United (A)

11 February 2020

Cheltenham Town face the 478 mile all-round trip to Carlisle United on Tuesday evening (kick-off: 7.45pm).

The Robins make the long trip north to Cumbria hoping to quickly follow up the disappointment of Saturday's loss at Scunthorpe with a good performance to add to the points total that has seen Michael Duff's side acquire a play-off spot with 16 games left to go this season.

The defeat at Scunny has left the squad desperate to get back out on the pitch so they can respond quickly.

Carlisle, as they have so often proved in the past, will provide a stern test. However with three consecutive home games coming up the Robins will be hoping they can make an impression on the road ahead of the next away match at Colchester United at the end of the month.

Team news

George Lloyd and Scott Flinders remain out of action due to injuries. Chris Clements has returned to training following a recent illness.

Rhys Lovett is back in contention after his recent loan spell at Tiverton Town came to an end.

Watch Michael Duff's press conference previewing the game:

Defender Charlie Raglan has also been looking ahead to Tuesday's encounter.

Opposition

Unbeaten in five games, Carlisle have shown some positive recent signs on the form front as they look to push further up the League Two table.

The Cumbrians occupy 20th spot in League Two ahead of Tuesday's meeting but are showing signs of progress under Head Coach Chris Beech who has been in position since late November at Brunton Park.

On Saturday they held league leaders Swindon Town to a 1-1 draw, while in their last five games they've also drawn with Mansfield Town and Oldham Athletic, as well as recording wins over Walsall and Forest Green - the latter being a 4-1 midweek success.

In goalkeeper Adam Collin they have a hugely experienced shot-stopper who also serves as their captain. The 35-year-old, who was born in nearby Penrith, is in the second spell of his career with Carlisle.

Defensively ex-Everton youngster Gethin Jones, former Millwall man Byron Webster and January arrival Nick Anderton from Blackpool have all contributed to limiting the goals that have been conceded in their recent unbeaten run.

In midfield experience comes from the influence of Mike Jones and Sheffield United loanee Nathan Thomas, with Elliott Watt and Jack Bridge also options in this department.

Lewis Alessandra provides a huge amount of League Two experience as part of an attack that also includes Harry McKirdy, the former Aston Villa youngster who helped Newport County to the League Two play-off final last season.

Loanees Ryan Loft and Joshua Kayode are possible forward players to select from too with January arrival Omari Patrick, whose godfather is Olympic gold medalist Linford Christie.

Earlier this season

A warm Tuesday night back in August, in what was only Cheltenham's second home match of the season, saw two first half goals earn the Robins a 2-0 win over Tuesday's opponents.

On loan Bristol Rovers striker opened the scoring after 15 minutes. He headed in Jake Doyle-Hayes dinked cross.

It was 2-0 on the stroke of half time when Chris Clements stunning pass fed Luke Varney, and the experienced hit man finished confidently to seal what would be a second consecutive home win.

Revisit the highlights from that game below:

Tickets

Supporters can purchase tickets ahead of the trip from the ticket office in advance.

They are also available from Carlisle this evening. Prices go up by £3 in all categories except for children tickets.

Robins fans booked on the Travel Club coach are advised it'll be leaving for the game from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium car park at 12.30pm.

Watch the game live on iFollow

Tuesday's match is being broadcast live on iFollow. Pay only £10 to watch the whole match live.

It's available to stream on your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Purchase a match pass for £10 and don't miss any of the action from the comfort of your own home or if you are out and on the move.

Coverage

Check out updates throughout the night on social media by following @CTFCofficial on Twitter. You can also view score updates on the club's Facebook page.

Watch the match by purchasing a match pass on iFollow for £10. Listen to full match commentary too with an audio match pass.

Post-match you can check out the club website to read a report and see reaction from the manager and one of the players.

Highlights will be available to watch on iFollow a few hours after the full time whistle.

Match Reports

Report & highlights: Carlisle United 0-1 Robins

11 February 2020

Apologies, this video is unvailable.

Cheltenham Town recorded their first win at Carlisle United's Brunton Park for the first time since 1933, thanks to the only goal of the game by Reuben Reid.

Michael Duff's side produced a much improved performance after the disappointing reverse at Scunthorpe United four days ago and more than merited their win on a bitterly cold evening in Cumbria.
The striker returned to the side to make his third league start of an injury hit season and notched his second goal of the campaign midway through the first half.
But the Robins didn't have it all their own way and they had to dig in in the closing stages to keep out Carlisle who threw the kitchen sink at it.
Just as pleasing was a first clean sheet for Owen Evans in goal.
Reid was one of three changes made by Duff, who was unhappy with his side's performance in the 1-0 defeat by Scunthorpe United at the weekend.
The striker replaced Luke Varney while Will Boyle and Max Sheaf came in for Jacob Greaves and Conor Thomas. Deputy goalkeeper Rhys Lovett returned to the bench after his short spell at Tiverton Town.
The Robins made an assured start and created three great chances to open the scoring before Reid made the breakthrough. First a slick move involving Reid and Ryan Broom ended with Alfie May in on goal but goalkeeper Adam Collin rushed from his line to deny the striker. The subsequent corner was swung in by Chris Hussey, but Reid's header found the side netting.
Then another smart move with 21 minutes on the clock almost ended in a goal for Hussey, racing on to a measured pass by Broom, but again Collin produced a sharp save to preserve parity.
But the opening goal arrived after 26 minutes when Reid reached a menacing Hussey free-kick from the left, which could have been converted by either Ben Tozer or May but it eluded the pair and it was eventually stabbed home at the far post.
Sheaf had a chance to double the advantage a moment later but his curler travelled over the target.
Omari Patrick was put through for a golden chance to pull his side level in the opening exchanges of the second half but he lifted his effort from the edge of the box well over. Elliot Watt also blasted a 20-yards free-kick wide.
At the other end there was another chance for May five minutes later, lifting up Sean Long's pass before testing Collin with a volley from 18 yards, which the Carlisle number one was equal to.
There were a couple of late chances for Will Boyle and Ryan Broom to put the seal on the win but neither called Collin into a stop. Carlisle threw everything at it in the closing stages but the Robins defended manfully to preserve their slender advantage to make the longest trip home with all the points for the first time in the modern era.

CARLISLE UNITED (4-3-3): Collin (c); Jones, Webster, Hayden, Anderton; Jones, Guy, Watt; Alessandra, Patrick, Thomas. Subs not used: Gary (Gk), Iredale, Charters, Bridge, Olomola, Loft, Hunt.

CHELTENHAM TOWN (3-5-2): Evans; Raglan, Tozer (c), Boyle; Long, Broom, Doyle-Hayes, Sheaf, Hussey; Reid (Varney 66), May. Subs not used: Lovett (Gk), Addai, Debayo, Ince, Greaves, Nichols.

REFEREE: A Haines

ATTENDANCE: 3,088 (84 from Cheltenham)

Ticket News

Tickets & travel: Carlisle United

4 February 2020

Cheltenham Town supporters can purchase tickets and book away travel for the upcoming match at Carlisle United on Tuesday 11 February.

The Robins make the long trip north to Cumbria for a 7.45pm kick-off at Brunton Park.

It is the second of back-to-back away matches in four days for the team with a Carlisle side in the bottom half of the table the opponents.

Ticket prices for the match are as follows:

Adults £19
Senior £16
Young Person (18-22) £13
Junior (11-17) £10
Family Junior (2 per adult/1 per senior) £8
Child (U11) £7
Child (U7) £0

Seats are available to book on the Travel Club coach. The coach leaves from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium for the match at 12.30pm.

Prices are £20/£18 for members, £22/£20 for non-members and £9 for Junior Robins.

To buy tickets or book away travel visit the ticket office on a Tuesday, Thursday or Friday between 10am and 3pm. You can also ring 01242 573558 (option 1) to book.

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