Imps hold key to Carlisle survival


By Nathan Jackson
April 16 2004

A few months ago, this would have been an almost guaranteed 3 points but a miracle recovery means that if Carlisle beat the Imps on Saturday, they can move out of the relegation zone for the first time since week 2 and not be bottom for the first time since week 4.

  • INTRODUCTION
  • Cast your minds back to the week before Christmas and the very bottom of the table, there, you would find Carlisle as you have done all season, they had only won once all season and were bottom by 18 points after having one of, if not the worst start in a season for any club, ever. Then a 2-0 win over Torquay changed everything and now, Carlisle have the chance to move off bottom spot, but more importantly, out of the relegation zone for the first time since the 2nd week of the season and the team standing in their way, Lincoln.
  • The Imps will be in no mood to hand out points though as the Imps are close to securing automatic promotion to Division 2 and need as many points as possible. Saturday could see the Imps go to their highest position of the season, 3rd.
  • City's first team injury list is now only Chris Cornelly who is unlikely to feature at all this season and is at risk of not having his contract renewed in the summer although we here at theimps.tk hope that doesn't happen.
  • Carlisle are at pretty much full strength which they will need to be to have any chance of getting anything against the Imps who are unbeaten in 8 league games following the 1-1 draw at Northampton on Monday
  • LAST SEASON
  • The Imps and Carlisle met 3 times last season and Carlisle were the victors at Sincil Bank and in the FA Cup encounter whilst the Imps comfortably won the league game at Brunton Park.
  • The first encounter was in the 3rd game of the season in a game that will be remembered for neither team ending the game with 10 men and Carlisle almost having to forfeit. Carlisle ended the game with only 8 men but a Richie Foran penalty in the 60th minute gave the Cumbrians a 1-0 win despite Yeo also missing a penalty.
  • City were drawn at Carlisle in the first round of the FA Cup and despite Carlisle having a player sent off, they still won with Ben Futcher scoring the Imps goal in a 2-1 defeat.
  • City dominated the league game at Brunton Park winning 4-1 with that 1 being very undeserved. Goals from Chris Ward, Scott Willis, Peter Gain and Paul Smith pushed the Imps closer to the playoffs.
  • PREVIOUS 5 RESULTS AGAINST CARLISLE
  • IMPS 2 CARLISLE 0
  • CARLISLE 1 IMPS 4
  • CARLISLE 2 IMPS 1 (FA CUP)
  • CARLISLE 1 IMPS 0
  • IMPS 3 CARLISLE 1
  • PREDICTIONS
  • This will be an extremely tough test for the Imps but I feel the Imps can sneak a last minute winner in a action packed game.
  • Carlisle 2 City 3

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