Conference National side Tamworth, who claimed the scalp of League Two’s Crewe Alexandra in the First Round thanks to a 2-1 victory at The Lamb Ground in Staffordshire, are aiming to spring another surprise this weekend when they make the trip up north where they’ll clash with League One outfit Carlisle at Brunton Park.
A total of 51 league positions separate the two sides before their Second Round clash at Brunton Park, home of a Carlisle United team who have suffered just two home defeats all season, against opposition of better quality and stature. The latter stuff counts for very little in the FA Cup. In fact, those who believe the league they play in will help make them an intimidating opponent are in fact the teams primed for the taking. We hope the Northerners don’t fall into this category as their opponents in the Second Round are that of a Tamworth side whom, despite finding themselves in a fight for survival down in the Conference National division, command the utmost respect after their victory over Crewe in the previous round.
However, Tamworth’s scalp of the League One side did come at home, where the fans packed out their minuscule stadium to ensure the atmosphere worked in their favour. The Lambs will unfortunately be without home advantage this time around and with their away record domestically poor, indifferent at best, we fear for their chances against a Carlisle side who have been very resolute at home and will take all the beating.
The visitors did at least warm up in ideal fashion with a 3-3 draw away to Cambridge last weekend, but the hosts are in good knick as well and won’t bring with them a dire home record, as Tamworth drag behind them an unconvincing away record in the Conference (W:3 D:3 L:5) of having won just three of their eight away encounters against lesser opposition to that of their Second Round foes. Moreover, Carlisle have lost just one of their last five League One fixtures, including an impressive home win over a resurgent Southampton (3-2), and with their defence as good as any other in the division (Conceding 9 at Brunton Park) on home soil, we don’t smell a shock in this one. Indeed, we reckon this will be straightforward for the Cumbrians.
Carlisle Stats (League One)
Win/Draw/Lose: 7-6-5 (Home: 5-3-2)
Goal Difference: 26-18 (Home: 16-9)
Form: DWWLD (Home: WLWWD)
Tamworth Stats (Conference National)
Win/Draw/Lose: 5-7-8 (Away: 3-3-5)
Goal Difference: 29-36 (Away: 13-19)
Form: LLLDD (Away: LLLLD)
Matt’s Selection(s):
Carlisle -1 Handicap (Not Asian) – 2.00 Coral
Carlisle/Carlisle (HT/FT Betting) – 2.05 bWin
The Cumbrians have gone in at half-time with a lead in their last three League One matches at Brunton Park, with only a second-half Rochdale penalty denying a home win for Carlisle last weekend which would have maintained their home trend of rewarding punters who backed this very bet in their last two home games.
