On Saturday, Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United side get their National League campaign underway when they make the long trip to Surrey to take on Neal Ardley’s Woking side.
Carlisle will be looking to bounce straight back to the football league at the first attempt after back-to-back relegations and Woking will be looking to improve on their 15th place finish last season.
How Did The Teams Look In Pre-Season?
Woking have had a mixture of results in pre-season, they have had wins over lower league opposition such as Cray Valley and Met Police but have lost to a Fulham under-21 side and Portsmouth. Their most impressive victory in pre-season was a 2-0 win over a Spurs under-21 side.
Woking have brought in a total of seven summer signings so far this summer including Jake Hyde from Chelmsford, Caleb Richards from Kidderminster and Chinwike Okoli from Millwall. Neale Ardely’s side have had something of a squad overhaul this summer after releasing a total of eleven players including Reece Grego-Cox, Rohan Ince and Jermaine Anderson.
Carlisle have enjoyed a successful pre-season which included victories over Chester, Harrogate, Fylde and South Shields but they also drew with Curzon Ashton and a defeat to SPFL side Motherwell.
Mark Hughes’ side has made a total of seven summer signings including Regan Linney from Altrincham, Morgan Feeney from Shrewsbury, Josh Grant from Wealdstone and Sam Murray from Manchester United. Carlisle much like Woking have experienced something of a squad overhaul this summer with a total of ten players leaving the club including Callum Guy, Sam Lavelle, Josh Vela and Ben Barclay who were all released as well as Matthew Dennis and Kadeem Harris who moved on after rejecting a new contract at Brunton Park.
Match Preview
Woking were a lot stronger at home last season than they were away and will want to continue that this season. Neal Ardley always has his side well organised and difficult to beat at home.
Woking’s players to watch will be captain and midfielder Harry Beautyman he has that bit of quality in the middle of the pitch and has an eye for goal. Ardley’s side also have a strike force with lots of experience which consists of form Millwall and Sunderland striker Aidan O’Brien and Inih Effiong who has lots of experience at non-league level both of which will be handfuls for the Carlisle United defence.
Carlisle United will be wanting to get off to flying start as many people have tipped them to be the winners of the National League this season. As we all know though football is a “funny old game” and on the back of back-to-back relegations some of this squad could be low on confidence. Nothing is being taken for granted by Mark Hughes and his side and know they will be in for a battle in this one.
Carlisle United players to watch will be midfielder Callum Whelan who impressed after joining from Gateshead in January and is proven at this level. Up front one of the forgotten men in Luke Armstrong has bagged goals in pre-season and is looking sharp, he up front with new signing Regan Linney who has also been scoring and looking sharp in pre-season could be the strike force to take the Cumbrians to victory in this one.
Match Predictions
My predicted Carlisle United lineup is:
Breeze, Davies, Thomas, Hayden, Harper, Ellis, Embleton, Whelan, Luamba, Armstrong, Linney.
My score prediction is:
Woking 1-2 Carlisle United
I’m expecting a hard fought contest with Woking having good home form but I think Carlisle will have too much quality in key areas and they will just come out on top and get their season off to winning start.
A Message From Paddock Perception
Stay with Paddock Perception this season as we bring you match previews, match analysis and all of the latest news around Brunton Park in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
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