The Shots look to tick off one of their postponed fixtures on Tuesday night as they welcome Carlisle, who
make the long 300 mile journey down from Cumbria.
Established in 1904, The Cumbrians are one of the northern-most sides in English professional
football and are the closest English team to the Scottish border. As such, they have developed a
committed fan base who frequently make long journeys to show their support, so there’s a good
chance we will see a packed away end on Tuesday.
In 1992 Carlisle faced one of their worst seasons in history, with the only thing saving them from
relegation being the liquidation crisis faced by The Shots in the same season. As such, now
would be a great time to repay the favour with the gift of three points in their next meeting.
RECENT FORM
Carlisle currently sit 3rd in the Enterprise National League and have been in good form,
securing four wins and one draw in their last 6 games. Their form since January has marked a significant turnaround from a tough December month, where they recorded just one win in four.
7th Mar – Carlisle 2 – 2 Southend
28th Feb – Eastleigh 1 – 2 Carlisle
25th Feb – Hartlepool 3 – 1 Carlisle
21st Feb – Carlisle 3 – 0 Yeovil
14th Feb – Forest Green 1 – 3 Carlisle
Despite winning games, the defensive record for Carlisle has not been quite as solid as it has been throughout the rest of the season, and they have leaked goals in all but one of their last six games. This could be a fantastic opportunity for a Shots’ side who have consistently found the back of the net in recent times, and a great chance to try and outgun their opponents to three points.
IN THE DUGOUT
Experienced boss Mark Hughes will occupy the opposition technical box. Having joined the club
back in February last year, Hughes is now tasked with guiding his side back into the football
league after being relegated with them from League Two.
With over 500 premier league games throughout his managerial career, including the likes of
Manchester City and Stoke City, Hughes has built up a reputation for being a versatile head
coach, able to adapt his style to suit any club he is working with. As such, Carlisle will be
hopeful that he can provide an impact on the team in a short space of time to propel them back
into League Two.
Some of Hughes’ most notable achievements include guiding Blackburn Rovers to League Cup
champions back in 2002, solidifying Stoke City as a Premier League club getting them
consistent mid-table finishes and even gaining recognition for his achievements by being
inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2007. As such, Hughes is both a reliable and
well respected head coach, which is exactly why Carlisle have held their faith in him despite
facing relegation last season.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Georgie Kelly:
The number 9 has been a consistent threat up top for the Cumbrians all season, and has netted in each of his last three appearances showing he’s currently got his shooting boots on. The Shots will need to try and cut service into the striker and nullify his threat in and around the box.
David Ajiboye:
The new signing joined Carlisle last summer and has done well for them this season. His efforts in February have earned him a player of the month nomination, after scoring 3 goals and making 1 assist. Ajiboye is a tricky winger capable of turning defenders inside out with pace and power, and can operate on both flanks, adding to the unpredictability element of his game. The Shots will need to make sure they are not caught out in the wide areas where this man can do some damage.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND REVERSE FIXTURE
Since 2004, The Shots have locked horns with Carlisle only six times, with Tuesday nights visitors winning three of these as well as one draw between the two sides . As such, The Shots will be looking to even up the scoreboard and make it three wins a piece, as well as preventing Carlisle from doing the double
after a 2-0 loss in the reverse fixture this season. The game on Saturday could also be an
enjoyable watch for the neutrals, with two or more goals being scored in five of the six previous meetings between the two sides.
The Shots will be gunning for a victory on Tuesday as they try to get back on track after a couple of tight defeats, while simultaneously putting a spanner in the works for a Carlisle side who are steaming along towards the top of the table.
TICKET INFO
Tickets for Saturday’s game at the EBB Stadium can be bought online by clicking HERE. Please
note prices will increase at 10am on the day of the match, these are noted in brackets.
Ticket prices are as follows:
ADULT – £23 (£25)
MILITARY PERSONNEL – £21 (£23)
SENIOR (66 and over) – £21 (£23)
YOUNG PERSON (16-20) – £21 (£23)
DISABLED – £21 (£23)
JUNIOR – (15 and under) – £8 (£10)
UNDER 11 – FREE
FAMILY (2 adults + 3 15 and under) – £48 (£52)
We strongly encourage buying tickets in advance or online to save queues in the Ticket Office
before the game.
The Club Shop/Ticket Office is open for all supporters with cash and card accepted.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
Live updates will be available from our social media platforms X (@OfficialShots), Instagram
(@aldershottownfcofficial), and Facebook. After the game, highlights will be available on our YouTube channel.
The game can be streamed for overseas viewers via DAZN’s National League TV coverage. Click HERE to purchase a match pass.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey.
