Tomorrow sees Exeter City return to action at St James Park against an in-form Carlisle United who are hot on the heels of the play-off places.
The Grecians go into Saturday's match confident, and well rested, winning their last two matches on the spin, tough tests away at Grimsby Town and Crewe Alexandra who are both fighting for points at the lower end of the table.
A short history of Carlisle United:
Carlisle United were formed in 1904, they have won three league titles and two cup competitions in their history. They played in the then First Division in the 1974–75 season, making the city of Carlisle the smallest location, by population, to have had a resident top-flight English football club since 1906.
The Cumbrians have reached the final of the Football League Trophy 6 times, more than any other team, winning it on two occasions in 1997 and 2011.
Carlisle have been in League Two since the 2014/15 season after an 8-year spell in League One. Last season they came close to making the play-off final, but would succombe to a late Jack Stacey stunner...more on that later in the article.
Season so far:
Carlisle come into the match in red-hot form, having won their last 4 matches, picking up key points against teams fighting for survival. They currently sit just three points outside the play-off places, but have played a match more than most teams around them.
Key stats:
Ones to watch:
Hallam Hope
Striker Hallam Hope joined the Cumbrians on a permanant deal in the summer of 2017, joining from Bury. Hallum started his career at Everton and has had loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Northampton. He has been in great form so far this campaign, notching 11 goals in all competitions.
Jamie Devitt
Wide-man Jamie is currently up for both the EFL League Two Player of the month, and PFA Bristol Street Motors Player of the Month after scoring 3 times in six appearances during February. He joined Carlisle in 2016 from Morecambe and has been capped by the Republic of Ireland under-21 side.
Danny Grainger
A left-back with an eye for goal, Captain Danny has found the back of net 9 times in all competitions this season. He has been with Carlisle since 2014 joinging from Dunfermline Athletic and proves a popular figure with the club and fans.
Last time out:
City have already faced Carlisle United at Brunton Park back in October. The Grecians won the match 1-0, thanks to Pierce Sweeney's second-half header.
Who can forget the last time the two teams took battle at St James Park? Thursday, May 18 was witness to one of the all time great night's at the Park. The play-off match between City and Carlisle was evenly poised at 3-3 from the first leg. On the night, City would strike twice through Ollie Watkins, only to be pegged back once more from two late Cumbrian goals.
The clock would tick to 90+5 with the match seemingly destined for extra-time. Jack Stacey had other ideas. Picking the ball up from Jake Taylor hecut in from the right wing and let rip a stunning left-foot strike that flew into the top corner which sent St James Park into raptures, and City to Wembley.
Tickets for tomorrow:
There are around 30 seats still available in the IP Office Main Stand as of Friday, March 9. The stand has sold out for all of City's home league matches so we advise booking as soon as you can.
To purchase tickets online, please click here. You can also call the club during the normal office hours on 01392 411 243 (option 3) or visit the club shop and reception in person between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Standing tickets in the Thatchers' Big Bank, the largest standing terrace in the football league, for the match should still be available to purchase on the day, but again the club is advising that supporters buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, and to take advantage of advanced discounts.
Thank you for your support.