Carlisle United (H)

13 February 2018

Notts County host Carlisle United as they look to get back to winning ways in Sky Bet League Two.

A run of one win in their past seven has seen the Magpies stumble in recent weeks but manager Kevin Nolan will hope that being back on home turf will provide the perfect remedy.

Carlisle, managed by former Notts boss Keith Curle, are 10 points adrift of the top seven and are in danger of allowing their season to peter out after making the play-offs in the last campaign.

With Curle at the helm and former Magpies Gary Liddle and Jamal Campbell-Ryce in the squad, the Cumbrians will be determined to get back on the winning track and reignite their hopes of a top-seven finish.

Notts boss Kevin Nolan says...

“I am really expecting a tough game, but I am looking forward to it.

“I want my lads to show that they can follow instructions and get our identity back.

“We want to get back to what Notts County have been feeding off in the last year which has helped us to where we are now.

“I’ve told the lads there is no pressure. They don’t have to do anything out of the ordinary. They just need to do what they were four or five weeks ago and we will be fine.”

Team news

Mason Bennett is ruled out with the hamstring injury which saw him limp out of the defeat against Barnet on Saturday afternoon.

Nolan was hopeful that the likes of Elliott Hewitt, Lewis Alessandra and Alan Smith would recover from the bug which kept them sidelined at the weekend when he addressed the media on Monday.

Carlisle captain Danny Grainger missed the 1-1 draw against Colchester at the weekend and will be monitored in the build-up to the game at Meadow Lane.

If Grainger misses out, Tom Parkes is likely to deputise at left back with former Notts man Gary Liddle partnering Clint Hill in the heart of the defence.

Dangerman

After an unsuccessful attempt to lure Cole Stockton to Cumbria in the summer, Keith Curle got his man last month when the striker left Hearts by mutual consent.

The 23-year-old put pen to paper on an 18-month contract at Brunton Park and got off the mark for the Blues in his second game, scoring in the 4-3 defeat at Wycombe recently.

Stockton began his career with Tranmere, where he made 115 appearances, scoring 23 goals. His final game for Rovers was the National League play-off final, where they lost 3-1 to Forest Green Rovers.

The striker has enjoyed success in League Two before during two loan spells with Morecambe, scoring 12 goals in 33 games across two spells at the Globe Arena.

Deciding to explore his options rather than extending his stay at Prenton Park after an 18-goal season, Stockton decided to venture north of the border to Hearts, but failed to score in 15 appearances before agreeing to leave Tynecastle.

With Curle's interest in the attacker remaining despite Stockton spurning his advances six months earlier, the Scouser will now hope to repay the Carlisle manager's faith.

We've met before...

Carlisle have won four of the last seven meetings between the sides but it was Notts who last won an outing between the teams as goals from Jon Stead and Matt Tootle secured a comeback victory at Brunton Park in April 2017.

County's most recent home win over the Cumbrians came in March 2014 when a brace from Haydn Hollis, paired with goals from Ronan Murray and Gary Liddle, gave the Magpies a crucial three points.

The meeting earlier this season ended in a 1-1 draw as Ryan Yates' goal cancelled out Hallam Hope's opener for Keith Curle's men.

Notts also hold a superior record in the head-to-head standings with 17 victories to Carlisle's 12 in the 33 previous matches.

What are the odds?

Sky Bet have priced Notts up as even-money favourites to take all three points, while the Cumbrians are 13/5 to come away from Meadow Lane with the win. The draw is 5/2.

A 2-0 win for the Magpies against the Blues can be backed at 17/2, with a 4-1 scoreline available at 33/1 and a 3-2 win at 25/1.

Jon Stead was an unused substitute during the defeat at Barnet on Saturday and could be recalled to the line-up as a result of Mason Bennett's injury. The striker is 5/1 to open the scoring tonight.

Liam Noble is coming up against one of his former clubs and is 9/1 to be the first name on the scoresheet, while Matt Tootle is 40/1 to score first after recovering from illness.

Notts are 11/4 to win the game with both teams scoring or 5/2 to win the game to-nil.

You can bet on the game here.

Supporters who sign up to Sky Bet using this link can help the club financially.

Match Reports

Notts 2-1 Carlisle

Stead at the double for the Magpies

13 February 2018

Notts County recorded back-to-back home victories, beating Carlisle United 2-1 at Meadow Lane.

Jon Stead struck twice in the first half and Carlisle were unable to recover, despite Jamie Devitt's deflected goal after the break.

Ben Hall replaced the absent Shaun Brisley in an otherwise-unchanged back four from the one that faced Barnet at the weekend.

The midfield looked very different, however, with Jorge Grant, Rob Milsom and Terry Hawkridge being replaced by Lewis Alessandra, Elliott Hewitt and Liam Noble.

Mason Bennett limped off with a hamstring injury at the Hive, paving the way for Stead to return to the starting line up alongside Shola Ameobi.

Carlisle's Kelvin Etuhu claimed the game's first shot of note, seeing his effort blocked by Richard Duffy at close range, before the Notts defender went close himself, almost turning home Dan Jones' corner.

The Magpies almost opened the scoring again when Matt Tootle struck the ball across goal and just wide of the far post after linking up well with Ameobi.

But Nolan's men didn't have to wait much longer to claim the game's first goal, Alessandra threading Stead into the area with a superb pass before seeing the striker guide the ball past Jack Bonham in the Carlisle net.

Devitt fired wide for the visitors before Noble struck a speculative free-kick straight at Bonham from long range.

Notts were having to remain resolute at the back, Jones making a vital intervention to prevent an almost-certain goal before Etuhu struck the ball over the bar moments later.

But the next goal went the Magpies' way - and it came in scrappy style, Stead doubling his tally from close range after a spot of pinball in the area which had seen Alessandra inadvertantly block the forward's initial effort.

Hallam Hope curled the ball inches wide of the post as the Cumbrians sought a route back into the match before the interval.

It could have been three before the break, however, when James Brown's back-header sailed over his own keeper, presenting Stead with a glimpse at a hat-trick. The forward couldn't get to the ball in time, however, as it bounced behind for a corner.

Alessandra landed a header on top of Carlisle's net in the first real chance of the second half, before Noble went into the book after a coming-together with Devitt.

The onus was on the visitors to score the next goal and they came close to doing so when Hope saw his acrobatic effort hit the post before his shot on the rebound was diverted wide for a corner.

There was more panic in the Notts box from the subsequent set piece, the ball bouncing around before Mike Jones struck the bar and Mark Ellis saw an effort diverted wide on the follow-up.

Collin then had to make a smart save at his near post to deny Reggie Lambe, before Ameobi saw an effort of his own well kept out by Bonham low down.

Notts nearly had a third in unorthadox circumstances when Bonham failed to claim a corner before being relieved to see one of his defenders clear the ball away.

And the Magpies had the crossbar ratlling moments later when Jones' cross appeared to be turned on to the woodwork by a Carlisle defender, only for the referee to be awarded a goal kick.

The game was still there for Carlisle, however, and they set up a nervy finale in controversial circumstances by playing on when Richard Duffy went down with a head injury. Lambe crossed for Devitt, whose deflected effort found the back of the net.

Husin (apparent timewasting), Duffy (protesting with the referee) and Alessandra (kicking the ball away) all found their way into Darren Drysdale's notebook before a double sub saw Ameobi and Hewitt replaced by Jonathan Forte and Grant.

Tom Parkes curled an effort straight at Collin and Ellis headed an effort over as tension built at the Lane.

Seven minutes were added on at the end of the match, during which Parkes found the back row of the Family Stand with a 20-yard effort and Lambe saw a powerful effort blocked by Hall.

But Notts held firm to claim an important three points.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Tickets: Carlisle United (H)

12 February 2018

Tickets are now on sale for Notts County's Sky Bet League Two match against Carlisle United on Tuesday 13 February (7.45pm).

Prices are as follows:

Category	Derek Pavis Stand	Air-IT Kop Stand	Haydn Green Family Stand
Adult	£20	£20	£20
60 and over	£14	£14	£14
18-21	£14	£14	£14
Under 18	£7	£7	£7
Under 16	£5	£5	£5
Under 12	£1	£1	£1
Under 7†	Free	Free	Free

Prices for supporters aged 12 and over will rise by £2 on matchday.

†Under 7s' tickets cannot be claimed online.

Season ticket holders: Bring a friend for free!

Season ticket/half-season ticket holders can bring a friend or family member free of charge.

Supporters can exchange their Bring a Friend voucher for a match ticket at the club shop.

Click here for more information.

Families

Download a handy matchday guide and map here.

How to buy

Tickets can be purchased online and printed at home by clicking here. More information on buying tickets online can be found here.

Alternatively, visit the Meadow Lane ticket office or call 0115 955 7210.

Hospitality

Notts are offering special discount to couples for their Romance of Italy night against Carlisle United on Tuesday 13 February.

When booking tables of two in hospitality for the game against the Cumbrians, couples will receive a £20 discount off the package price, a complimentary mini bottle of prosecco and a special gift to celebrate Valentine's Day!

Click here to view our range of packages.

To enquire about hospitality for this fixture, please email kirsty.edwards@nottscountyfc.co.uk or call 0115 955 7222.

Notts County Football Club

Standings

Carlisle United (H)

Notts 2-1 Carlisle

Tickets: Carlisle United (H)