MATCH PREVIEW: Reprieved Reds hoping for further progress

Reds will be hoping to avoid a unique situation on Tuesday – being knocked out of the Cumberland Cup for the second time this season.

They lost to penalties in the home tie against Whitehaven in November but were subsequently given a reprieve after the West Lancashire League outfit were found to have played a cup-tied player.

And now they go to Carlisle City hoping to make further progress, although their overall County Cup record against the Sky Blues is moderate.  In six previous encounters in the competition, City have won on four occasions with Reds winning just twice.

There will be plenty of familiar faces in City’s squad with no fewer than eighteen players who have registered for them this term having some tenuous link with Workington.  Indeed, Ben McCarron must be somewhat confused with his current situation.

The talented youngster had scored for Reds in the two previous rounds yet, after the Whitehaven game, linked up with City in an attempt to get more game time.  Then, he found himself back at Borough Park on Saturdayand contributed in the victory over Matlock.

Mark Fell was hoping to have a new face in the squad for the quarter-final tie and a number of the Development team teenagers will probably feature once again.

The two sides last met in July in a pre-season clash.  Callum Birdsall opened the scoring for City but goals from Steven Rigg and Greg McCaragher secured a hard-fought victory, Mark Fell’s first at Borough Park as Reds’ boss.

The tie will be settled on the night.

Venue: Gillford Park

Postcode: CA1 3AF (off Petteril Bank Road)

Kick-off: 7.45pm

• The last eight:   Carlisle City v. Workington, Wetheriggs United v. Aspatria, Unisun Athletic v. Penrith, Keswick v. Cleator Moor Celtic.