It’s Matchday, after a great 2-0 victory over Salford City at the weekend. Keith Curle will be hoping for some of the same. After a long 247 miles trip up to Carlisle United for a Tuesday Night game. In this preview, we have a new edition of Ex-Cobbler Focus.
Head to head
Here is a look at the last game vs Carlisle.
Managerless Carlisle’s six-game winning run came to a shuddering halt when emphatically beaten 3-0 by Northampton.
The Cobblers, managed by former Cumbrians boss Keith Curle, ran riot in the second half as Jack Bridge scored twice and Junior Morias added a third for only their second victory since early November.
The first half ended goalless but it was not without chances as Northampton started strongly with Sam Hoskins seeing a shot blocked and Andy Williams denied by a flying Adam Collin.
Carlisle improved and home goalkeeper David Cornell was three times called into action, thwarting Hallam Hope, Jack Sowerby and then brilliantly keeping out Jamie Devitt’s stinging volley.
But the second half would be all one-way traffic as Northampton took the lead three minutes in when Shay Facey’s cross was only half-cleared to Bridge, who lashed home via a deflection.
Bridge then had his second just past the hour mark, collecting Sam Foley’s lay-off and picking out the far corner with pinpoint accuracy.
The outstanding Bridge was also involved for the third goal, threading through Morias and the substitute drilled between the legs of Collin to rubber-stamp victory.
Last 6 AWAY Games
Here is a look back at our last visit to Brunton Park.
Carlisle United and Northampton Town both got their first point of the season on the board as they fought out an exciting draw.
Jamie Devitt fired Carlisle in front on the half-hour mark with a superb 25-yard shot following a short free-kick just inside the Northampton half.
Northampton drew level on 40 minutes when Andy Williams worked some space to the left of goal and his cross was headed home from six yards by Kevin Van Veen.
Two goals in a minute brought the second half to life. Matt Crooks swept Northampton into the lead from a Sam Hoskins ball across the six-yard box in the 62nd minute only for Hallam Hope to immediately go racing through the middle and slip the ball past David Cornell for the equaliser.
Both sides went hunting for a winner in a frantic finale with Hoskins almost squeezing one in for the visitors and Hope off target with another attempt for Carlisle.
Match report supplied by the Press Association
Northampton’s Last Game
Northampton ended their four-game winless run with victory over Salford.
Sam Hoskins scored a first-half penalty before Jordan Turnbull struck midway through the second period to take Cobblers back above Salford in the League Two table.
Chris Lines’ header was easy enough for Kyle Letheren in the visiting goal while Hoskins shot wide of a post as the Cobblers started brightly.
Salford grew into the game and Adam Rooney forced a fine save from David Cornell, but Northampton led 11 minutes before half-time when Charlie Goode was fouled in the box and Hoskins found the bottom corner from the spot.
The home side doubled their lead midway through the second period when a deep free-kick found Andy Williams and he headed back to Turnbull, who squeezed a shot through Letheren.
Williams put too much on his attempted lob when trying to make it three and Nicky Adams’ free-kick brought a fine save from Letheren, but Northampton had done enough to take the points.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Carlisle Last game
Joel Grant and Antoni Sarcevic struck the goals as Plymouth defeated Carlisle at Home Park.
Grant opened the scoring in the 22nd minute before Sarcevic smashed in Plymouth’s second in stoppage time to seal the points against Steven Pressley’s United, who have now lost their past three league games.
Grant netted his third goal in three games when he slid in to send George Cooper’s pinpoint cross spinning over visiting keeper Adam Collin and into the net.
After that Argyle, who are now unbeaten in four matches in the league, dominated the first half without scoring again.
Carlisle improved in the second half and came close to levelling when central defender Byron Webster rose above the home defence to head Jack Bridge’s corner on to the face of the bar.
Jack Iredale also had a late opportunity to level for the Cumbrians.
However, his angled shot on the run was saved by keeper Alex Palmer and soon after that Argyle countered to clinch victory when Sarcevic drove to the edge of the box and let fly with a thumping strike.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Match Officials
SCOTT OLDHAM has been confirmed as the official who will take charge of Carlisle vs Cobblers.
Mr Oldham has been the man in the middle for the Cobblers vs Macclesfield on the 17.08.19 in league two and the Cobblers lost 2-1.
SCOTT OLDHAM
Geoffrey Liddle and Helen Byrne
Fourth Official: Simeon Lucas
Theo Archibald scored a last-minute winner as Macclesfield’s first game since Sol Campbell’s departure ended in a dramatic 2-1 victory over Northampton. Danny Whitaker was in temporary charge after Campbell left on Thursday and his side led at half-time through Ben Stephens’ strike Jordan Turnbull equalised, only for Archibald to win it at the death.
Ex-Cobbler Focus
Bridge began his career with Southend United at the age of nine and signed his first professional contract with the club on April 2014. Bridge went on loan to Soham Town Rangers in November 2014 and experienced his first taste of first-team football, scoring two goals in five starts in his time at the club. After it was reported that Bridge was on the radar of clubs bigger in stature than Soham, Bridge signed for Chelmsford City in January 2015 on an initial one-month loan deal which was later extended to the end of the season. On 22 January 2016, Bridge returned to Chelmsford City alongside fellow Southend loanee Jason Williams. Bridge scored, assisted and was named Man of the Match on his return to the club in a 4–3 win against Whitehawk a day later.
On 30 April 2016, Bridge made his debut for Southend United in a 1–0 loss against Bradford City as a substitute for Glen Kamara. On 9 May 2016, Bridge signed a 2-year contract extension at Southend United.
In January 2017, Bridge began training with Bournemouth ahead of a possibility of a permanent transfer to the club.
On 5 January 2018, Bridge joined Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee. On 6 May 2019, Northampton announced Bridge was amongst eight players to be released before the start of the next season. A month later he joined fellow League Two side Carlisle United on a one-year deal.
Brunton Park
AWAY FANS
Blocks 2 and 3 of the East Stand house away fans who visit Brunton Park.
Known as the Pioneer Food Stand for sponsorship purposes, The Petteril End Terrace is occasionally used as well for when the away allocation is increased or when Carlisle is expected a large travelling contingent.
Beneath the stand in the concourse, there is a bar which is a decent place to grab a drink before the game, with the nearby food stall serving up reasonably priced grub.
BEST PUBS
Next to Brunton Park, there is Carlisle Rugby Club on Warwick Road which allows both sets of supporters in before and after the match with the family-friendly bar serving a decent range of beverages and snacks.
On the same road, there is also The Beehive which can sometimes be a bit more discerning with what fans can and cannot enter, with The Howard Arms located Lowther Street also another option for those walking from the town centre.
Lastly behind the club’s main car park, there is The Stoneyholme Golf Club which is more than welcome to fans on matchdays.
CAR PARKING
Car Parking immediately within the vicinity of the ground is extremely limited with spaces reserved for pass holders which include the likes of staff, players, press and the visiting team.
There are however limited space within the car park behind the Pioneer Foods stand costing £2.5 although you’re advised to get there early due to high levels of demand.
Failing this the club recommends parking in the Rosehill Industrial Estate opposite Tesco near the M6 – this will leave you will a manageable 20-minute walk.
HOTELS
The closest hotel to Brunton Park appears to be the Holly Trees Hotel on the A69 Warwick Road although just a few hundred metres in the opposite direction (East) there is a Premier Inn which might be more suitable for some.
Back towards the city centre, there are lots of choices near the train station such as the Ibis Hotel Carlisle and the slightly more expensive but closer Hallmark Hotel Carlisle.
Safe travels to any supporter making the trip and thank you for your fantastic support. 