In form City travel to table topping Cumbrians

By Nathan Jackson
March 3 2006

Fresh off the back of Keith Alexander being named Manager of the Month, inform Lincoln travel to table topping Carlisle. City hold a good recent record over the Cumbrians, winning 3 of the last 4 games with Carlisle failing to score in 3 of those but will the inevitable curse strike again?

It was typical really, the Imps finally get into the playoff places on the back of a great run and who are our next opponents, only an away game at the League leaders. City's great run must come to an end some time and the 4 hour trip to Carlisle could easily be the Imps first defeat of 2006 but Carlisle will be aiming to repeat a scoreline they have had 3 times this calender year already, a 5-0 victory that would match results against Boston, Rushden and Chester.

It will certainly be City's hardest test so far this season but Keith Alexander's men will be confident of getting a result at Brunton Park after winning 3 of the previous 4 meetings, this despite the likelyhood of the Manager of the Month curse striking.

Please note that the match report will not be uploaded until Sunday evening due to a social occasion as soon as I get back from Carlisle.

There will be no messing about from Keith Alexander as the Imps aim to make it 12 undefeated. Nat Brown returns from suspension and he will more than likely start in midfield, replacing Lee Frecklington wheras Steve Robinson should return in midfield. The back 4 should be the usual suspects with Cryan out on the right with Hughes on the opposite flank with McCombe and McAuley in the middle. Up front, Yeo and Green are virtually guaranteed starts this days, despite of how many chances the former wastes. The only question with regards to the strikers will be who is the 3rd man going to be. Other than scoring in his first game for the Imps, Gritton has done sod all since joining in February and the in form Gary Birch should start.

If we're lucky, Ollie Ryan won't travel.

Who I think will start (Right to left)

Marriott

Cyran    McAuley   McCombe   Hughes

Brown  S/Robinson  Kerr

Green   Birch   Yeo

 

After breaking the Imps' 17 year Conference attendance record against Aldershot last season, the Cumbrians have made no mistakes in the league this time around and as stated previously, sit top of the league despite losing more games than 4 of the other Top 7 sides. They started the season quite slowly and when they visited Sincil Bank at the end of August, they had a record of won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1. Carlisle were incredibly negative that day and quite clearly came for a point in a game that the Imps controlled. Despite this, they almost took the lead when they hit the post.

3 wins in a row were followed by 3 defeats in a row. A 1-0 win over Mansfield turned it all around and the Cumbrian's went on to win 4 of their next 6 games. A boxing day home defeat to Wycombe was followed by another impressive run, this time it was 6 wins from 10. A 3-0 defeat at Macclesfield was their last defeat and since then, they've won 3 from 5.

Carlisle have also got into a habit of thrashing teams. So far this season, Boston, Chester and Rushden have also suffered 5-0 defeats the Cumbrians. Rushden also suffered a 4-0 defeat to Carlisle, as did Bury and Stockport County were on the wrong end of a 6-0 trouncing. Carlisle have only failed to score in 6 of their league games.

Carlisle have also reached the Northern Final of the LDV Vans Trophy final. They will be aiming to make it to their 2nd final in their last 3 entries into the competition. Their progress through the competition saw a 6-5 victory on penalties over Oldham, a 2-1 win over Blackpool, a 11-10 victory on penalties over Tranmere, a narrow 1-0 win over Kidderminster and they took an advantage in the Northern Final by beating Macclesfield 2-1 in the first leg last week.