Carlisle City will try again tomorrow to make club history and make the fourth round of the national FA Vase competition.
Last Saturday’s trip to Crook Town fell foul of the weather when play was ruled out by a waterlogged pitch.
Prospects are much brighter for tomorrow and City boss Dan Kirkup hopes to lead his side into the fourth round for the very first time.
City will be without Keelan Leslie (on holiday) and Jay Kelly (injured) but there has been some positive team news this week.
Ex-Carlisle United youngster Romeo Park is back in the squad after a couple of weeks in Australia tsking part in PFA trials games.
“That’s a boost for us and so too is the news that our experienced defender Sam Smith is fit again and raring to go.
“We have a supporters coach going over to Crook and I believe there are still one or two spaces available for anyone wanting to come and back the team. The more the better,” said Kirkup.
Northern League action in Cumbria starts tonight with a derby clash at Parkside Road as Penrith travel to take-on Kendal Town.
Despite no football last week-end Penrith boss Darren Edmondson has an injury crisis and could be up to seven players missing tonight.
Kendal, however, will be in no mood to sympathise as they look to re-ignite their play-off challenge.
The game is being sponsored by the Carlisle United South Cumbria Supporters Club, not the first time they have helped out the Mintcakes,
In the Pitching In NPL Premier Division Workington Reds travel to Warrington Rylands with manager Mark Fell looking to follow-up his side’s spirited performance against leaders Macclesfield two weeks ago.
Last week’s home game with Blyth Spartans was postponed and Reds have the Rylands game plus one at Lancaster on December 21 before they can sample home comforts on Boxing Day.
The Blyth game will be fitted in now on March 8 when hopefully the weather will be a lot calmer.
Reds have never beaten Rylands in five previous meetings and manager Fell will be aware that their hosts have produced some of their best results in the FA Trophy, notably a win at Scunthorpe United.
Fell has seen his lengthy injury list gradually decrease but he has already insisted that nobody will be rushed back.
Skipper Dav Symington and defender Jordan Little might make the squad.
Only three players are currently not training – David Norris, Aran Fitzpatrick and Tyler Beck. Tom Wilkinson has done two sessions so far.
“Hopefully it’s not going to be too long before I’ve a few headaches on team selection,” said Fell.
In the North West Counties League North Division Holker Old Boys have a good opportunity to progress their play-off ambitions.
They host bottom side Skelmersdale United whose tumble through the pyramid structure shows no sign of halting. They only have a win and two draws from 21 League games.
In the West Lancashire League Cleator Moor Celtic are at home to Hurst Green while Whitehaven will try again to fit in their Richardson Cup game at Turton.
In the Wearside League fifth in the table Windscale will aim to collect maximum points from a home game against a Richmond Town side who are 17 points behind in 11th, albeit with three games in hand.
