Town prepares for Carlisle visit (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Town prepares for Carlisle visit

9:42am Friday 4th July 2008 in

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KENDAL Town are preparing a bumper crowd when Football League side Carlisle United visit for an early pre-season friendly next Friday, July 11, writes Arran Jolly.

It will be both set of fans’ first opportunity to see their sides in action since the end of last season and there’s plenty of county-wide anciptation ahead of what should be a fascinating test for Town’s squad.

It also gives Town manager Lee Ashcroft a chance to catch up with Carlisle manager John Ward.

“ I’ve known John for a long time and I’m really looking forward to it, They could bring 2000 or 3000 down with them, so we should have a great atmosphere.

“With Carlisle being seasoned professionals and our lads part-time, it offers an excellent chance to test ourselves, and particularly fitness levels, before the start of the season.”

Ashcroft confirmed he is aiming to playing in the side from the start of the season.

The match at the Lakeland Radio Stadium kicks off at 7pm.

Meanwhile, Town have been handed away ties in the first round of both this year’s FA Cup and FA Trophy competitions.

Town face fellow Northern Premier League First Division outfit Ashton United FC in the FA Cup on Saturday, September 13.

The Greater-Manchester side finished a single point above Kendal Town last season in tenth place and with both fixtures last season ending in a 2-2 draw, the signs are all there for a competitive battle to stay on what can be a highly lucrative cup trail for the clubs that progress.

Ashcroft believes an away draw, although disappointing, will not pose too much of a handicap because the memory of last season’s exciting cup run was still a strong motivating factor for the players.

Town got to the brink of an historic place in the first-round proper before losing a 1-0 nailbiter to Conference club Altrincham in front of home fans at the end of October..

“I know Danny Johnson (the Ashton manager) been busy in the transfer market, but we’re going to go down there and give it a really good go.

“We tasted quite a bit of success in the Cup last year and hopefully that can spur us on to have another good run again this year.”

Having seen Lincolnshire outfit Stamford relegated to the NPL first division, Ashcroft’s men might have thought they’d be spared from a six-hour return journey.

But the first round of FA Trophy pits Town against Dougie Keast’s men on Saturday, October 18, having gone out of the competition to Sheffield in the second round last season.

Meanwhile, growing interest in the friendly against Premier League Sunderland has led Kendal to ensure that 1,000 tickets will be allocated to local supporters.