After a break of eleven days since going out of the Papa Johns Trophy at AFC Wimbledon, Sutton return to action on Saturday, making the long trip to Carlisle United for a Sky Bet League Two. Sutton will be in amber. The game kicks off at 1pm, and supporters not making the early start to get to the game can watch it live on our iFollow service for £10.
U's have fond memories of the two meetings with Carlisle last season, with a convincing 4-0 win at the VBS in September followed by one of the outstanding away performances in January as Isaac Olaofe and David Ajiboye scored in a 2-0 success that made the long trip worthwhile for the 118 U's fans at Brunton Park.
After flirting with trouble last season Carlisle eventually finished in 20th place, but this season their sights have been set on the other end of the table and they are currently 6th, having lost fewer games than any team in the division except leaders Leyton Orient. The O's are also the only team to have left Brunton Park with all three points this season, with the other eight home games seeing wins over Wimbledon, Crawley, Doncaster and Gillingham, and draws against Crewe, Rochdale, Swindon and Walsall. Leading scorer Kristian Dennis is only two behind Sam Hoskins and Andy Cook at the top of the League Two scorers' chart, while U's could also face former striker Tobi Sho-Silva, who missed the start of the season through injury but has recently returned to the squad.
Sutton's 1-0 win over Rochdale a fortnight ago ended a run of four league games without a win, although there was subsequent disappointment in the Papa Johns Trophy, and U's could be boosted on Saturday by the return of midfielder Ali Smith, who scored twice in the 4-0 home win against Carlisle last season and who has missed over two months due to an ankle injury but who is likely to be included in the squad.
Referee Lewis Smith is new to the EFL list this season and last refereed a Sutton game in January 2021, when he took charge of the goalless draw at Torquay in the National League.
On the day admission is available at Brunton Park, with prices as follows:
Adults £24; Senior (age 65+) £21; Young Person (age 18-22) £18; Junior Under 18 (age 14-17) £12; Junior Under 14* (age 11-13) £12; Family Junior** (age 11-17) £10; Child under 11* (age 7-10) £9; Child age 6 and under Free*.
* Junior Under 14, Child Under 11 and Child Under 7 tickets must be bought in conjunction with an adult, senior or young person ticket.
** A maximum of two Family Junior tickets can be bought with every one adult ticket, and a maximum of one Family Junior ticket with every one senior ticket.
Supporters not travelling to the game can buy a match pass for £10 here to watch the game live on our iFollow service.
If you are going to the game, while it will require a very early start it is very easy by road or rail. By road leave the M6 at junction 43 and take the A69 towards Carlisle, and the ground is on the right at the third set of lights. To get to the car park behind the Pioneer Stand turn right at those lights. Car parking is £3 and early arrival is recommended to be sure of a space.
By rail there is a direct service from Euston although again it's an early start, with trains at 07.08(arrive 10.47) or 08.10(arrive 11.51). The ground is just over a mile from the station. Head out of the station, cross the road, and locate Nando's Restaurant on the crescent shaped corner adjacent to the first set of traffic lights. Walk down Warwick Road for about a mile and you will reach Brunton Park on the left. There are taxis available from the station or the 76 bus from the town centre goes past the ground.
Return trains are at 14.48(arrive 18.17), 15.49(arrive 19.36), 16.08 (arrive 20.55, but an hour earlier, and quite a bit cheaper, if you change at Crewe although you may need to buy separate tickets to take advantage of the cheapest fares) and 16.44(arrive 20.58).
Further information for away supporters at Brunton Park can be found here