Carlisle United and Workington are in FA Youth Cup action this week.
Workington are first in action on Thursday night at home to Hartlepool United while on Friday night Carlisle travel to Morecambe.
It’s the second qualifying round and Carlisle must enter the competition at an earlier stage this season following the Blues’ drop into the National League.
Previously they joined the Youth Cup in the first round proper but must now make it through two ties before reaching that stage.
The young Blues reached the third round last season, defeating Altrincham and Barnsley before losing to Plymouth Argyle.
After a promising start to the 2025/26 season, the young Blues head to Lancashire keen to extend their strong early form.
A penalty shootout win over Spennymoor last week earned Workington another home draw against Hartlepool United.
The Borough Park tie has a 7.45pm kick-off with Hartlepool keen to make up for last year’s early exit against Blyth Spartans.
Reds youngsters have beaten Penrith comfortably and Spennymoor on penalties to reach he second qualifying round stage.
Meanwhile Reds first team have been left without a game on October 11 because scheduled opponents Gainsborough are still involved in the FA Cup.
They had no fixture earlier this month following their defeat to Stalybridge in the FA Cup, so Reds will be trying to bring forward a league game to October 11.
