MATCH PREVIEW: United on Saturday, City next-up

Having acquitted themselves well against Carlisle United on Saturday, Reds are now preparing to face Carlisle City on Tuesday in match four of pre-season.

It is the first of five remaining friendlies against similar ranked opposition, after the high-profile fixture at the weekend, and manager Danny Grainger hopes to be operating with a full-strength squad sooner rather than later.

One of the pitfalls of a pre-season in non-league is trying to get everything in place whilst a different group of players are missing each match. It isn’t just us, of course, and Jim Nichols will have experienced the same challenges with City in recent weeks.

Danny is hoping to welcome back two of the six weekend absentees for the clash at the Three Rivers HSC Stadium (7.30pm) but others may be missing because of their holidays.

City have played four games in their build-up, winning emphatically against Lochmaben and Milnthorpe Corinthians, drawing at Garstang and losing, narrowly to Kendal Town.

Like Reds, their squad is evolving but there will still be a number of former Workington players wearing sky blue.

Lewis Reilly certainly enjoyed the friendly against City last summer, scoring all four goals in our 4-0 win there twelve months ago. We repeated the scoreline in the Cumberland Cup semi final in March and Lewis was on target in that game too. Two results which will leave City thirsting for revenge on Tuesday, no doubt.

The bar will be open from 6.30pm and admission is a very reasonable £3 (adult) and £2 (concession).

Postcode: CA1 3AF