28th March 2025

YOUTH MATCH REPORT: UNITED 2-4 PLYMOUTH | Carlisle United Football Club

United were defeated in a six-goal thriller under the lights at Brunton Park in the third round of the FA Youth Cup against Plymouth Argyle.The first chance of the game fell United's way after two minutes. Dan Hopper drove forward at the Argyle defence, before linking up with Freddie O'Donoghue who cut it back to Hopper in the box, prompting an excellent save from Daniel Holman.After 15 minutes, Trent Chapman found O'Donoghue at the near-post, but his effort went into the side-netting.Four minut...

19th August 2024

YOUTH TEAM MATCH REPORT: UNITED 3-2 SALFORD | Carlisle United Football Club

Two goals in stoppage time saw United record their first win of the 2024/25 season with a 3-2 victory over Salford at Creighton on Saturday morning, courtesy of a brace from James Murray and a strike from Seb Mason.Both sides began the game slowly, with neither side able to string many passes together or trouble either defence.On 18 minutes, James Murray provided United with their first chance of the game. A driving run forward created a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box, but he was...

11th August 2024

YOUTH TEAM MATCH REPORT: ROTHERHAM 2-2 UNITED | Carlisle United Football Club

Goals from Dan Hopper and Hayden Atkinson saw United's under-19s draw 2-2 away at Rotherham on Saturday in their opening fixture of the Youth Alliance League.After three minutes played, United were in front. A cross from the left was flicked on by Louis Lambert into the path of Hopper, who shifted the ball onto his right foot and released a powerful effort that flew in off the crossbar.Soon after the goal, Thomas Randall made a fine save from close range to deny the hosts from finding a quick eq...

Carlisle United • 30th April 2024

YOUTH: United 0 - 5 Accrington

The under-18s fell to a 5-0 defeat against Accrington Stanley at Brunton Park on Tuesday afternoon in their final game of the Youth Alliance League.

After three minutes played, Will Nicholson did well to block a goalbound effort, followed by Thomas Randall pulling off a good save soon after to prevent an effort from distance finding the back of the net.

Dan Hopper struck the post after 12 minutes. Romeo Park played a long ball over the heads of the Accrington defence which Hopper ran onto insi

Carlisle United • 23rd April 2024

YOUTH: United 3 - 2 Stockport

The under-18s got back to winning ways against Stockport County on Saturday, after goals from Freddie O'Donoghue, Simon Rigby and Romeo Park saw United come from 2-0 down, to win 3-2 at Creighton.

It was the visitors who dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead after five minutes played. Stockport worked it well down the left and a cross into the box was met at the near post by the Stockport forward who finished it off.

Minutes later, Will Nicholson did well to recover from a mistake

Carlisle United • 4th April 2024

YOUTH: United 1-0 Walsall

An 86th minute strike from Dan Hopper ensured the under-18s got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory against Walsall at Creighton on Tuesday afternoon.

United started proceedings positively with both Romeo Park and Dan Hopper causing the Walsall defence headaches in the opening minutes.

It was Park who created the first opportunity of the game on eight minutes, he drove into the area but his cross flashed across the six-yard-box just out of the reach of Anton Dudik, who couldn't stab it hom

Carlisle United • 29th March 2024

YOUTH: United travel to Bolton on Saturday

After four consecutive home games, the Under-18s are on the road on Saturday morning as they face Bolton Wanderers in the Youth Alliance League.

Following last weekend's 3-2 defeat against Blackpool, Mark Birch's side will be aiming to get back on track with five league games remaining.

Anton Dudik and James Walsh were United's goalscorers against the Tangerines.

After the loss, United have slipped down to 10th in the table on 23 points after playing 21 games.

A look at the opposition: Bolto

Carlisle United • 26th March 2024

YOUTH: United 2 - 3 Blackpool

United's under-18s fell to a 3-2 defeat against Blackpool in the Youth Alliance League on Saturday morning despite goals from Anton Dudik and James Walsh.

Mark Birch's side took on Blackpool at Creighton in the Youth Alliance league, looking to make it four victories in a row and maintain their unbeaten home record in 2024.

It was Blackpool who dominated the early exchanges of the game repeatedly testing Jacob Barry in the United goal. The visitors also had the luxury of the wind behind their

Carlisle United • 22nd March 2024

YOUTH: United take on Blackpool at home

United under-18s host Blackpool on Saturday morning in their next fixture of the EFL Youth Alliance League.

After three consecutive victories against Rochdale, Preston North End and Oldham Athletic, Mark Birch's side will be looking to pick up another three points this weekend.

A brace from Anton Dudik secured United a 2-1 victory over Oldham at Creighton last weekend, a result which saw the Blues make further progress in the league table and move up to ninth.

From their 20 games played, Unit

Carlisle United • 19th March 2024

YOUTH: United 2-1 Oldham Athletic

The under-18s made it three victories in a row after coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 on Saturday morning at Creighton, courtesy of a brace from Anton Dudik.

United headed into the game with the expectations of another positive performance following home wins against Rochdale and Preston North End.

With only two minutes played, Robbie Swinburn had a great chance to break the deadlock after he closed down an Oldham clearance and was left one-on-one with the Oldham 'keeper, but he was den

Carlisle United • 15th March 2024

YOUTH: Oldham at home on Saturday

The Under-18s host Oldham Athletic on Saturday morning at Creighton as Mark Birch's side look to record a third successive victory in the Youth Alliance League.

United were 2-1 winners against Preston North End last weekend with Romeo Park and Robbie Swinburn on the scoresheet as United maintained their unbeaten home run in 2024.

United have moved up to 10th place in the Youth Alliance League following the win at Creighton last weekend, sitting on 20 points after 19 games played.

Oldham are c

11th March 2024

My selections for Day One of the Cheltenham Festival

Carlisle United • 11th March 2024

YOUTH: United 2-1 Preston North End

United's under-18s maintained their unbeaten home record in 2024, as they defeated Preston North End 2-1 at Creighton on Saturday morning.

United headed into the game full of confidence following their gritty 3-2 triumph over Rochdale last weekend, despite Preston occupying top spot in the league table.

The opening exchanges of the game saw both teams remain very cautious when in possession, with the majority of the action occuring in the middle third of the pitch.

It was the visitors who cre

Carlisle United • 7th March 2024

YOUTH: Preston at home this weekend

The under-18s face Preston North End on Saturday in their next fixture of the Youth Alliance League.

A brace from Romeo Park and a goal from Robbie Swinburn gave United a 3-2 victory over Rochdale to remain undefeated at home in 2024.

The result saw United jump up a place to 11th in the league on 17 points after 19 games played.

After recording their fifth victory of the campaign, United will be looking to record back-to-back victories for the first time since August.

A look at the oppositio

Carlisle United • 4th March 2024

YOUTH: United 3 - 2 Rochdale

United's under-18s got back to winning ways after three defeats on the bounce against Rochdale AFC after a brace from Romeo Park and a winning goal from Robbie Swinburn saw United win 3-2 on Saturday morning at Creighton Rugby Club.

Mark Birch's side came into the game on the back of defeats against Wrexham, Blackpool and Shrewsbury and would be looking to start strongly and impose themselves against Rochdale.

Things didn't go as planned for United as after a cagey opening 10 minutes between t

Carlisle United • 1st March 2024

YOUTH: United at home on Saturday morning

The Under-18s are back in action on Saturday morning as they host Rochdale AFC in the Youth Alliance League.

After starting 2024 with a 4-3 victory over Morecambe, United have since lost their last three matches against Wrexham, Blackpool and Shrewsbury.

United remain in 12th place on 14 points after playing 18 games this season with a record of four wins, two draws and 12 losses.

A look at the opposition.

Rochdale occupy sixth place in the Youth Alliance League, with eight wins, one draw an

Carlisle United • 27th February 2024

ACADEMY: U15's progress in the Floodlit Cup

Goals from Amaru Smith, Caleb Comp and William Rafferty saw United to a 3-1 victory against Crewe Alexandra in the Floodlit Cup.

United created the first chance of the game after Smith chased down a long ball forward in which he took around Crewe goalkeeper Luke Unsworth, before trying to find Ted Thomson in the box, but the Crewe defenders managed to get back and clear the danger.

Minutes later United goalkeeper, Shaun Petry made a great save to deny Will Holt from opening the scoring for the

Carlisle United • 19th February 2024

YOUTH: Shrewsbury 1-0 United

United's under-18s were defeated on the road in their latest EFL Youth Alliance League game, as an 85th minute goal from Shrewsbury was enough to seal the three points for the hosts in Shropshire.

Mark Birch's side made the long trip aiming to return to winning ways following two defeats in as many games against Wrexham and Blackpool.

The Blues’ side began the game strongly, playing some free-flowing football and applying some pressure on the Shrewsbury defence.

Salop then began to go through

Carlisle United • 15th February 2024

YOUTH: Previewing our trip to Shropshire

The under-18s travel to Shrewsbury Town tomorrow for their next fixture in the EFL Youth Alliance League (1pm kick-off).

After winning the first game of the new year 4-3 against Morecambe, United have endured two losses against Wrexham and Blackpool.

Two second-half goals from the Seasiders saw Carlisle fall to a 2-0 defeat last time out. The Blues did have the ball in the back of the net from Freddie O’Donoghue, but the assistant referee had flagged for offside.

Mark Birch’s side sit 12th in

Carlisle United • 6th February 2024

YOUTH: Blackpool 2 - 0 United

United's Under-18s were on the end of a 2-0 defeat against Blackpool in the EFL Youth Alliance League.

Two second-half goals from the hosts secured all three points in Lancashire.

The first-half action consisted of chances few and far between before Blackpool began to apply some pressure on the United defence after hitting the woodwork five minutes before the interval.

United remained defensively compact and battled through to the break with the scoreline remaining goalless.

Seven minutes af

Carlisle United • 1st February 2024

YOUTH: A trip to Blackpool on Saturday

The Under-18s are on the road this Saturday to face Blackpool in the Youth Alliance League.

Last time out, United were on the end of a 4-1 defeat away to Wrexham, with Freddie O’Donoghue scoring United’s goal.


After 14 games played this season, United sit on 14 points with four wins, two draws and eight losses.


A look at the opposition


Blackpool are seventh in the Youth Alliance League with 17 points on the board after 11 games.


The Seasiders have won five times this season, with tw

Carlisle United • 15th January 2024

YOUTH: Wrexham 4 - 1 United

United's under-18 side were on the receiving end of a 4-1 defeat on Saturday morning away at Wrexham in their latest game of the Youth Alliance League.

It was the hosts who dominated proceedings scoring the opening goal after 20 minutes, when a cross from out wide was nodded home by the Wrexham forward to give them the lead.

In the closing stages of the first-half, two quick-fire goals from Wrexham saw the North Wales side take a 3-0 lead into the break giving them a firm grip of the game.

Go

Carlisle United • 12th January 2024

YOUTH: A look ahead to the trip to Wrexham

The Under 18s are on the road this weekend as they travel to face Wrexham on Saturday in their second Youth Alliance League game of 2024.

Mark Birch's side will be looking for back-to-back wins following the 4-3 victory against Morecambe last weekend.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Wrexham, Birch said: "The result against Morecambe was a very positive one for us.

"We know there are a lot of games left to be played this season and we now have to build on the performance last weekend into the ga

Carlisle United • 7th January 2024

YOUTH: United 4-3 Morecambe

Goals from Romeo Park, Jake Allan and a brace from Freddie O'Donoghue saw United claim the three points from their first Youth Alliance League game of 2024 against Morecambe.

The early exchanges of the game were shared between both sides, with neither side really creating any clear-cut chances. United's first chance of the game came 15 minutes into the game when a United free-kick in a threatening area was hit narrowly wide by Jake Allan. Thomas Randall was called into action soon after, when h