Forest Green Rovers return to National League action on Saturday as they travel to Brunton Park to take on Carlisle United in the televised late kick-off.
Rovers progressed through to the First Round of the FA Cup on Monday night as they saw off Worthing 4-1 on the south coast.
After suffering defeat last time out in the league, Robbie Savage’s side will be looking to bounce back as they travel to the north-west.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash, here is everything you need to know about our opponents.
The Opposition - Carlisle United
Nickname: ‘The Cumbrians’
League Position: 3rd
Carlisle have made an impressive start to the season, currently sitting third in the table and level on 29 points alongside Rovers. After suffering back-to-back defeats at the end of September, the Cumbrians have won both their league games in October, including a 1-0 away win at Scunthorpe United. Like Rovers, they also advanced in the FA Cup last weekend seeing off fellow National League side Boston United 5-2.
United are in their first season as a non-league side after consecutive relegations out of League One and then League Two last season. The club were promoted to League One in the 2022/23 season after a Play Off Final victory over Stockport County. But the two disappointing seasons that followed have meant the club have dropped down to the fifth tier of English Football.
In The Dugout - Mark Hughes
Manchester United legend Mark Hughes is the man in the dugout for Carlisle United.
Hughes was appointed back in February 2025 but could not prevent the club from dropping out of the Football League.
It was confirmed however he would remain with the Cumbrians despite relegation and has made a positive start to life in the National League.
The 61-year-old managed several clubs in the Premier League including Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and Stoke City.
Now managing outside of the EFL for the first time in his career, Hughes will be looking to bounce straight back into the Football League at the first time of asking.
Player To Watch - Regan Linney
It will come as no surprise to National League fans that Regan Linney is Carlisle United’s dangerman.
Linney currently sits joint top of the National League goalscoring charts grabbing nine goals in 14 games so far this season.
The 28-year-old joined the club in the summer after an impressive two-year spell with fellow National League side Altrincham.
The forward scored 42 goals in 91 games before United acquired the player’s services for an undisclosed fee.
A player who certainly knows where the back of the net is, Rovers will need to be aware of the striker in and around the box.
Head-To-Head:
Rovers will be looking to make it their fifth consecutive win over Carlisle on Saturday as they make the long journey north!
28/01/2020 - Rovers 1-4 Carlisle (Winchester 59)
19/12/2020 - Rovers 1-0 Carlisle (Matt 76)
02/02/2021 - Carlisle 1-2 Rovers (Collins 60 & Bailey 75)
02/10/2021 - Carlisle 0-2 Rovers (Matt 29 & Cadden 32)
22/01/2022 - Rovers 3-0 Carlisle (Feeney OG 16, Stevens 52 & Matt 77)
