MATCH PREVIEW: Cup Final out west

Borough Park will host it’s first Cumberland Cup final for twenty-four years on Tuesday when holders Workington take on strong favourites Carlisle United (7pm).

Back in 2000, Reds and United met for the ninth time in the final and it was glory for the west Cumbrians on that occasion with Marc Green (direct from a corner) and Graeme Carr (a penalty) scoring the goals in a 2-0 victory.

More recently, in 2007, Reds won 2-1 at Brunton Park with Tony Nicholson and Craig Johnston on target for Reds after Luke Joyce’s equaliser had taken the tie into extra time.  That was the tenth meeting in the final between the old rivals and there have been numerous other encounters in the earlier rounds

Both Reds and the Brunton Park Blues have experienced disappointing seasons with just seventeen league wins obtained between them and, take a breath, 159 goals conceded.

At least there will be silverware for one of Cumbria’s senior clubs to lift and if it is the Blues skipper who does so the Role of Honour will be level pegging once again.  Workington have lifted the trophy twenty-seven times in the past with United currently on twenty-six successes.

Workington have enjoyed a straightforward run to the final, overcoming four County League teams along the way whilst Carlisle have beaten a couple of County League outfits as well as Northern League sides Carlisle City and Penrith.

Both teams have used various personnel in the earlier rounds and Workington’s squad will be made up of all the fit senior players available and supplemented with members of the Development Squad.

Four of United’s youngsters, Sam Hetherington, Aran Fitzpatrick, Jake Allan and Josh O’Brien have all spent valuable time on loan with Reds this term yet some/all could feature against us in the final.

There has always been that strong link between the clubs with many players having worn both red and blue at various stages of their careers.  Indeed, in recent decades, the likes of Ceiran Casson, Charlie Birch, Conor Tinnion, Kyle May, Lee Andrews, Dav Symington and Adam Collin have played in Cumberland Cup finals for both teams.

With the CFA organisers of the game, supporters are reminded of the earlier kick-off (7pm).  Those unable to get to Borough Park will be able to listen to live commentary on BBC Radio Cumbria with John Walsh and Mark Boyd behind the microphones.  

Programmes are only available on line via the Cumberland FA website.