Friday 24 August 2012

Carlisle United (A) August 25th 2012


Mention the name Carlisle United and most people will think of one name, notably that of Jimmy Glass who never quite cut the mustard at Pompey (Having played 3 times on loan in 1995) but found folk hero status at Brunton Park when he scored with the last kick of the game in the 1998 / 99 season to save Carlisle from relegation. For those not old enough to remember Jimmy Glass or wondering what’s so special about the goal I should point out that Glass was a goal keeper by trade before he retired in 2001 aged just 27.

The name Carlisle United brings back so many memories for me I just don’t know where to start. Erm – There’s the Jimmy Glass goal… Oh I once sat next to the Carlisle United goal keeper on holiday on a camp site when I was little. I don’t remember his name but I do remember that they kept putting sultanas in the curry much to my annoyance. Erm - So yes, sadly that’s my sum total knowledge of Carlisle United football club. I’m going to have to call in my friend Google for this preview.

The last time our two sides met was on the 22nd of September 2009 in the League Cup away, which saw first half goals from Dindane and Webber and a third from Vanden Borre in the second half secure a 3-1 Victory. The win came amongst seven straight Premier League defeats for Pompey which finally ended with the 1-0 victory away win to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The League Cup was proving much needed rest bite for the Pompey faithful with the Carlisle win following on from a 4-0 home win against Hereford United and the Carlisle win was followed by another 4-0 win against Premiership rivals Stoke City. The run came to an end when we were knocked out 4-2 by Aston Villa.

To find the last time we played Carlisle before then you have to travel all the way back to December 22nd 1985 when Pompey lost 1-0. Overall in the head to head record between the two clubs Pompey have the slight advantage with 14 wins to 12, with a further 7 games ending in a draw. Carlisle have the slightest of upper hands when it comes to goals scored – 47 to 46. Yes I am struggling for things to say at this point.

Looking down their squad only one name pops out, that of Danny Cadamarteri the ex-Everton player who never really ever fulfilled the hype that came with the early promise shown in his career which is a shame because from what I saw of him he looked a genuinely talented football back in the day. I won’t lie, I didn’t recognise a single other name on the squad sheet.

Michael Appleton’s men will be hoping to build on two successive draws from their opening two games of the season which both saw Pompey take the lead before failing to capitalise for all three points. Greg Abbott’s Carlisle drew their opening game away to Stevenage Borough 1-1 before losing during the week 3-0 to Tranmere Rovers with Andy Robinson scoring a hat trick. Carlisle find themselves currently fourth bottom and in the last of the relegation places. Appleton must be hoping that it’s third time lucky as he looks to build on strong mid week performances from the likes of Dumbuya, Compton, Walker, Long and Connolly and get Pompey’s first win of the season under their belts. Lee Williamson remains a possible doubt having been replaced against Colchester after the half hour by youngster Adam Webster.

Two Carlisle United trivia points to end with; They were once owned by Michael Knighton the businessman who once famously tried to buy Manchester United and was seen trying to do keepy uppy’s in his shirt and tie on the Old Trafford pitch and apparently Fearne Cotton is a fan although how true that is I don’t know but it will tie this preview off nicely. Cotton – tie it off nicely? No…. OK then.

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