Shrewsbury v Carlisle United

The last time United visited Gay Meadow in a football league encounter was a memorable one. Tuesday 29 April 2003. Then theoutcome was very much a more serious matter, that of relegation out of the football league.
Both clubs sat perilously close to the foot of the table that fateful evening, defeat for either side meant the unthinkable – relegation.

A Brian Wake hat-trick earned all three points for The Cumbrians in a toughly fought 3-2 victory during which nine players were booked and one sent off. United effectively ended Shrewsbury Town’s 53 year stay in the football league that evening, a bitter pill to swallow for many of the Shrews support.

Almost three years on, bothy sides have suffered an ignominious season of non league football in the National Conference, both were promoted back to the footbal league via the play off system. How times change – now Carlisle United look to secure at least a point to aid their promotion push, whilst Shrewsbury will be searching for a win to elevate their position away from the lower reaches of League Two.

This encounter promises to be as tough a battle as it was back in 2003, Carlisle now managed by Paul Simpson are a resilient bunch, capable of playing the best football at this level, yet they are more than able to mix and match with the toughest of opponents. Shrewsbury will no doubt make them work hard for ninety minutes and have the ability to snatch a goal then defend in numbers.

Now is the time for United to push on, but few fixtures will offer as much historical significance as this one, Simmo’s men will need no motivation to take all three points, however, a draw (in any form) may well prove a decent result.