Carlisle United

Carlisle target crucial momentum
Carlisle United manager Paul Simpson has told his promoted squad to follow Doncaster and Yeovil's League Two lead. In previous years both Rovers and the Glovers have gained promotion 12 months after coming up from the Conference. "We want to be strong straight away and keep the momentum ticking over just as they did," Simpson told BBC Sport. "We're coming up on a positive note and it's a simple case of picking up where we left off last season and ensuring that the club keeps going forward." But Simpson is realistic enough to know that emulating Doncaster or Yeovil will not be all plain sailing in a tough league that proved too much for the Cumbrians two seasons ago when they were relegated. "Without sounding pessimistic, our first target is to make sure we're still in the League at the end of the season - there's a big difference between the Conference and the Football League," Simpson said. "Our first job is to stay in the league and after that we'll look to build and who knows what could happen. "I believe we've got a squad strong enough to be challenging at the top of the table and that's where I want to be." if they can push themselves into the promotion picture, Simpson feels it will be deserved reward for a club that has been through the wringer in recent seasons. "There's been a hell of a lot of work done off and on the pitch and we want to keep going in the same direction as we have for the last 12 months," he added. "Off the pitch we're getting there. A lot of things are being done structurally to the football club, everything is getting sorted out and we're able to concentrate on football - which is what I want. "On the pitch we've made a few changes with around six players leaving at the end of the season and we've brought a few new faces in. "I'm looking at bringing in a couple of other players who will strengthen the squad, including a striker. "We couldn't agree a fee for Gregg Blundell so we're looking around at other options. "We've three very good strikers in Glenn Murray, Derek Holmes and Karl Hawley, but I just think to have a strong squad we need to have one more striker added to that list and that's something we're trying to do. "We've a tough opening with Wycombe away - they'll be one of the teams to beat this year - but we'll go there in a positive frame of mind. "And if we can get something there it will give everyone a boost. "We've nothing to fear. We believe we can hold our own in this league and now it's up to us to go and show it."

Carlisle 1-0 Oldham
Carlisle won the Isle of Man tournament with a narrow victory over Oldham, thanks to a single Adam Murray goal. Murray was on target with a 25-yard free-kick in the 27th minute, and was named as man of the match while Derek Holmes was player of the tournament. However, for Oldham the game was marred in the second half when striker Luke Beckett was carried off with suspected medial knee ligament damage. In the third place play-off, Port Vale beat the Isle of Man side 4-0.

Carlisle renew sponsorship deal
Carlisle have extended their deal with shirt sponsors Eddie Stobart Ltd by one year beyond the current contract. The Cumbrians have had the partnership with the road haulage firm for eight years and the deal will now continue until the end of the 2006-07 season. Business operations boss George Thomson said: "It's pleasing to maintain our strong links with a local company. "A further benefit is that the fans will be buying shirts which will last for two seasons."

Holmes boosted by tournament win
Striker Derek Holmes feels Carlisle have been buoyed after winning the Isle of Man pre-season tournament. The Scot, who was named as player of the tournament, told the Cumbrians' website: "It was a very good test for us, and everyone is playing well. "Both Oldham and Port Vale are a league above us, so it was good to go up against them to see what we can do. "We're glad we won the tournament because it doesn't do you any harm at all to be winning games at any time."

Carlisle 2-4 Middlesbrough
Szilard Nemeth scored twice as Middlesbrough defeated Carlisle in a pre-season friendly at Brunton Park. Nemeth opened the scoring with a lob and then beat Anthony Williams with a volley just before the break. With 10 minutes left Derek Holmes headed home Brendan McGill's cross for Carlisle before Tom Craddock scored a penalty for Middlesbrough. Stewart Downing made it 4-2 with a shot that Williams got a hand to, before Simon Hackney scored from 25 yards.

Carlisle take Ukranian on trial
League Two newcomers Carlisle have given a trial to Ukranian Under-21 international Dmitri Pronovych. But boss Paul Simpson said he would not be rushed into making a decision about the central midfielder, who had a trial with Millwall in summer 2004. "We'll have a look at what he can do and see if he will imrove things for us," Simpson told Carlisle's website. "We are looking for players who can add something to our squad rather than jump in to make rushed signings."

Thompson set for stint with Hull
Carlisle United's teenage goalkeeper Neil Thompson has joined Hull City on work experience. The 18-year-old has previously had similar spells with Workington and Runcorn and Cumbrians' youth team boss Billy Barr is happy to see him go. Barr said: "He is now in his third year as a professional and ideally we want to get him out to a better standard. "Hopefully he will do well and get a run there. He needs a better standard than youth football to test him."

Burnley 2-1 Carlisle
Ade Akinbiyi scored an injury-time goal to spare the blushes of Championship Burnley in the Carling Cup first-round tie with League Two Carlisle. The hosts were in front on 52 minutes as Michael Duff's deflected shot found its way into the net. But with 16 minutes left Carlisle levelled as Peter Murphy's free-kick was parried by goalkeeper Danny Coyne and Adam Murray headed home to level. But in added time, Akinbiyi latched on to Kyle Lafferty's pass for the winner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Coyne, Duff (Lafferty 75), McGreal, Thomas, Branch, Garreth O'Connor, Hyde, James O'Connor, McCann, Noel-Williams, Akinbiyi. Subs Not Used: Crossley, Pugh, Reilly, Yates. Goals: Duff 52, Akinbiyi 90. Carlisle: Westwood, Andrews, Livesey, Grand, Aranalde, Hackney (McGill 69), Glenn Murray (Hawley 69), McClen, Murphy, Nade, Adam Murray. Subs Not Used: Williams, Billy, Holmes. Goals: Adam Murray 74. Att: 5,114 Ref: S Mathieson (Cheshire).

Simpson pleased to disrupt Imps
Boss Paul Simpson was pleased after a solid defensive display helped Carlisle earn a goalless draw at Lincoln. "It was a real scrap, because they have a set way of playing and it is very effective for them," he said. "We went out there to disrupt that, and I think we did that very well, We stuck to our jobs all over the pitch. "Sometimes, you have to approach certain games in different ways. If that means we come across as being negative at times, then so be it."

Simpson releases trialist Craig
Carlisle boss Paul Simpson has decided not to follow up his interest in Scottish striker Steven Craig. After Craig, 24, spent a week's trial with the Cumbrians, Simpson told Carlisle's website: "I've had a chat with Steven and thanked him. "He's done well but I'm looking to bring in players who will give us different options and Steve is similar to what we've got. "I had to be honest and tell him he would be third or fourth choice."

Chester 2-0 Carlisle
Gregg Blundell and Dave Artell scored goal each as Chester continued to defy their status as relegation candidates with a comfortable victory. In the 11th minutes, defender Artell forced the ball over the goal-line from Michael Branch's header. Carlisle edged back into the game with Karl Hawley twice being denied by City keeper Chris MacKenzie. But Ryan Lowe threaded a neat ball through to Blundell who sealed the win with a left-foot finish. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chester: MacKenzie, McNiven, Artell, Dimech, Regan, Davies, Drummond, Walker (Curtis 85), Branch (Richardson 84), Blundell, Lowe (El Kholti 78). Subs Not Used: Vaughan, Bertos. Booked: Lowe. Goals: Artell 11, Blundell 40. Carlisle: Williams, Arnison, Livesey, Gray, Aranalde, McGill, Lumsdon (Glenn Murray 45), Adam Murray, Billy, Murphy, Hawley. Subs Not Used: Beharall, McClen, Grand, Westwood. Booked: Arnison. Att: 3,394 Ref: T Bates (Staffordshire).

Carlisle calm fears over flooding
Carlisle United have moved to calm fears over the heavy flooding that Cumbria has suffered this week. In January this year, freak floods left their Brunton Park ground under eight feet of water, and forced them to play "home" games at neutral venues. But business operations manager George Thompson told the League Two club's website: "If we had a match today, the pitch would be playable. "We don't anticipate any problems for Saturday's game against Mansfield."

Nade joins Weymouth in loan deal
Carlisle United winger Raphael Nade has joined Conference South leaders Weymouth on a month's loan. Nade, 25, has been restricted to just 14 starts for Carlisle, scoring twice, since signing from Woking last summer. "This is a good move for him as it will give him first-team football and keep his fitness levels up," Carlisle boss Paul Simpson told the club's website. "He has been itching to get involved. He wants to be playing so this will benefit him Weymouth and us."

Carlisle's Hawley scoops accolade
Carlisle's Karl Hawley thanked his move to the north-west after scooping the League Two player of the year award at the Football League Awards. The 24-year-old striker said: "I can't stop shaking, this is a fantastic award - coming to Carlisle has given my career a tremendous boost. "When I was released by Walsall I was gutted because they're my home town club but it was a blessing in disguise. "Carlisle is a good club and has a good manager in Paul Simpson."

Northampton 0-3 Carlisle
Carlisle extended their lead at the top of League Two with a comprehensive win at promotion rivals Northampton. Karl Hawley put the visitors in front against the run of play when he pounced on Jason Crowe's poorly struck backpass to grab his 24th goal of the season. Michael Bridges then increased Carlisle's lead with a dipping 25-yard volley in the 74th minute. Danny Livesey added the visitors' third when he scored from close range after keeper Lee Harper mishandled a corner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northampton: Harper, Crowe, Johnson, Chambers, Dyche, Doig, Hunt (Lee 63), Taylor (Gilligan 71), Jess, Kirk, McGleish (Smith 79). Subs Not Used: Bunn, Hand. Booked: Kirk. Carlisle: Westwood, Arnison, Aranalde, Livesey, Gray, Lumsdon, Billy, Adam Murray, Bridges, Holmes (Hackney 82), Hawley (Glenn Murray 77). Subs Not Used: Williams, McGill, Grand. Goals: Hawley 21, Bridges 74, Livesey 84. Att: 7,045 Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

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