Can Forest Green maintain unbeaten streak against second place Carlisle?

Carlisle United make the long journey from Cumbria to Gloucestershire on Saturday, as they do battle with their counterparts Forest Green Rovers in what will be a fascinating affair of two sides gunning for promotion.

Both teams have enjoyed extremely strong starts to their campaigns, occupying positions in the top four at present. The Cumbrians reside in second place, just two points behind pacesetters, Newport County. However, victory for Rovers would see them leapfrog the visitors.

Forest Green have not tasted defeat in six matches, this run was extended midweek, with a stalemate away to Port Vale. Vale took the lead, a nightmare moment for Rovers’ Chris Stokes, the skipper putting through his own net.

The Gloucestershire side responded positively, displaying the resilience that has seen them feature amongst the upper echelons of the table consistently this season. Aaron Collins levelled four minutes prior to the break, and that’s the way it remained, Vale and Rovers settling for a share of the spoils.

One man primed to play a prominent role if Forest Green are to claim the three points is, forward, Jamille Matt. Signed from Newport County in the summer, the imposing Jamaican is off to a fine start at The New Lawn, rattling in eight strikes for his new side.

Blessed with a dangerous combination of searing pace and goal scoring prowess, Matt has a history of finding the net against Carlisle and will be hoping to inflict more damage upon the opposition on Saturday.

Manager Mark Cooper is fully aware of the threat that Carlisle will pose:

“The players have been made well aware of Carlisle’s strengths, and they’ll know what we do too.

“Their goalkeeper kicks the ball from the edge of his box all the way into your box, so we know what’s coming. They pick up the pieces off that and play from there.”

Carlisle have made an astonishing start to the 2020/21 season, accumulating 35 points in 18 matches. That tally, overseen by manager Chris Beech, has only been bettered on one occasion throughout the club’s participation at Football League level.

The Cumbrians have won four games on the spin, scoring eight and conceding just once in the process, demonstrating their credentials at both ends of the pitch.

Their most recent outing came during the week at Brunton Park, as they played host to Mansfield Town. Omari Patrick blazed home in the first period, having controlled Jack Armer’s centre, and the home side saw out the remainder of the game for a 1-0 triumph.

In truth, it could have been more, however, securing maximum points is most pivotal, and Beech’s side are proving able to achieve this on a regular basis. In addition, the Cumbrians are turning Brunton Park into a genuine fortress, winning eight of the last nine fixtures at their home.

Leading the way in the scoring stakes for United is somewhat of a surprise source. Defender turned midfielder, Jon Mellish has helped himself to 12 goals across all competitions. The 23-year-old former Gateshead man is thriving after making a positional switch.

He opened his account for the Cumbrians in a 1-0 victory over Barrow in October, before signing a new deal to prolong his stay at Brunton Park.

A key player for United is Joshua Kayode. Initially signed on a half-season loan from Rotherham in January, Beech was quick to acquire his services for the full term this time around, after he plundered three goals in five matches during his first spell at the club.

The energetic forward is a product of the Rotherham academy, and has experience at international level, having represented Ireland U21’s on a couple of occasions.

The two managers figured together during their playing days at Hartlepool United, providing an added edge to an already high stakes affair.

Chris Beech said: “I played with Mark Cooper at Hartlepool, we were midfield partners, so I know him very well. He’s a winner and he’s done very well with his recruitment.

“I think he’s financially backed and that’s enabled him to recruit a very good squad, on top of the lads he had last season who were doing very well anyway.”

Team news

Forest Green boast an almost entirely clean bill of health entering this pivotal clash between teams harbouring genuine aspirations of League One competition next season.

Defender Carl Winchester has been involved in training during the week and, providing there is no flare-up, is likely to feature. In addition, Jordan Moore-Taylor should be available for selection – providing plenty of options for Rovers boss Mark Cooper.

As for the visitors, leading scorer, Jon Mellish, misses out through suspension, meaning decisions in the engine room for Chris Beech. Armer and Joe Riley featured in the win over Mansfield, whilst Dean Furman could be in contention to replace the absent Mellish.

George Tanner and Danny Devine also remain sidelined.

Head-to-head

The last fixture contested between these sides at The New Lawn took place back in January, the visitors claiming a resounding 4-1 victory. Nathan Thomas registered a quick-fire brace during a frenetic three-minute period in the opening half.

Minutes into the second half, Thomas secured his hat-trick, rifling home from the penalty spot. Kayode added a fourth, before Winchester netted what was a mere consolation for Rovers, converting another penalty, this time awarded to the hosts.

Due to Forest Green’s relative infancy as an EFL outfit, this will be only the eighth meeting between the sides – six league encounters and two FA Cup clashes. The Cumbrians hold a firm stranglehold on contests played out thus far, recording four wins, three draws and a solitary defeat.

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