Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Carlisle United, Saturday 31 December 2016

December 31, 2016

Carlisle United and Notts County have met on 30 occasions since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won 2-0 by the Cumbrians.

Out of those, the Magpies have won 16 and lost 11, with just 3 draws.

Our last two meetings, which took place last season, ended in a 3-0 defeat and a 5-0 defeat for Notts.

Carlisle United is one of the northernmost clubs in the Football League, just 10 miles from the Scottish border, and one that’s normally mentioned among the most difficult away days – talk of “Carlisle away” is one for the most hardcore fans, especially in midweek (Newcastle United are further north than Carlisle, however).

The Cumbrians have spent a season in the top flight, back in 1974-75, and recorded a double over Everton, as well as home victories over eventual champions Derby County, former titleholders Ipswich Town, Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They were relegated at the end of the season though.

Carlisle is the smallest location, by population, to have had a resident top-flight English football club since 1906. Prior to this, Accrington FC, Darwen, Grimsby Town & Glossop North End were smaller.

Despite their small stature, the club has experience moderate success with regards to silverware – they have won a Third Division title back in 1965, two Fourth Division championships in 1995 and 2006, and two Football League Trophies, back in 1997 and 2011.

Carlisle are famous for one of the most dramatic Great Escape scenarios in all of English football, when on-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored in the last 10 seconds of their final game of the 1998-99 season against Plymouth Argyle to keep the Cumbrians in the Football League at the expense of Scarborough.

Team news

Notts County will be boosted by the return of captain Michael O'Connor when they host Carlisle United on New Year's Eve.

The midfielder is available for selection after completing a three-game suspension following his sending off against Wycombe Wanderers on December 10.

Defender Matt Tootle should be fit to play after picking up a knock which forced him to be substituted against Doncaster on Boxing Day.

Wes Atkinson is also eligible to take part after being recalled from his loan at Gateshead.

Notts manager John Sheridan will once again be in the stands as he serves the third match of a five-game touchline ban.

Carlisle defender Danny Grainger is out with a knee injury which means Macaulay Gillesphey will continue to deputise.

Manager Keith Curle is keen to extend the on-loan Newcastle left-back's stay beyond the two matches he has remaining.

Midfielder Mike Jones is missing with an ankle problem.

Fellow midfielder Russell Penn returned to the club after his loan spell at Gateshead expired on Boxing Day and could be in contention for a squad place.