Carlisle United's Kristian Dennis aiming for play-off glory

The striker’s tally of 21 in all competitions and 20 in the league has been fundamental to the Blues’ progress in 2022/23.

Not since Karl Hawley in Paul Simpson’s title team of 2005/6 has a Carlisle player hit such goalscoring numbers.

And Dennis admits the feat will be all the sweeter if it comes with a Wembley finale for the Cumbrians.

“I’ve scored a few goals in my career before but they’ve not really amounted to anything in terms of playing for something towards the end of the season,” Dennis said.

“To score goals and contribute the way I have has been good, and hopefully we have a good finish.

“[Promotion] would be amazing. I’ve never had one in my career. To do it at Wembley would be the cherry on the cake.”

Carlisle, barring a final day goal difference calamity next Monday, will be in the play-offs and a semi-final against one of Salford City, Bradford City, Stockport County and Northampton Town will beckon.

They are fifth after 45 games, automatic promotion having eluded them in the end but still with the chance of capping a season of major progress with the ultimate finale.

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Dennis’s goals tally, and a contribution which has seen him voted players’ player of the season at United, have helped keep Simpson’s side in high places.

On his scoring numbers, he said: “I’d say most strikers, at the start of the season, would set out for 15-20 and hopefully others chip in as well.

“I’m just happy to have done that, and we’re in a good position. Hopefully my goals have contributed to that and hopefully I can get some more.

Dennis says it would be a dream for Carlisle to win promotion via the play-offs at Wembley (Image: Ben Holmes)

“I’ve not scored as many as I’d like in the second half of the season but hopefully we’ve got a lot to play for come next week.”

There was something of the classic striker’s mentality in Dennis’s answer when invited to nominate his favourite goal of the season.

“Maybe Wimbledon, the header that got us a win [in the 2-1 victory in September]…I’d missed a sitter against Mansfield a few days before. It was a late one as well and got us back on track.”

Being there to miss chances is part of a frontman’s lot yet Dennis has converted more than anyone else for 17 years at Brunton Park.

“I go out every game to try and score a goal but first and foremost get the win,” added the 32-year-old. “If I can do that usually we’re there or thereabouts.”

His 20th league goal came in bittersweet circumstances against Salford City. “There was a bit of pressure on the penalty, considering how the game was going, and with [Jon] Mellish getting sent off before it.

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“The thought was to score this penalty, get to 20 and worst case get a draw…”

Luke Bolton’s response meant Salford would win 3-2, and Dennis added: “I think we didn’t have any luck on Saturday. Hopefully we’ll save that luck for the next few weeks and other teams are using all theirs already.”

Dennis was delighted to earn the players’ player accolade from his team-mates at Sunday’s awards night.

“Someone said, ‘it’s between you and Mox [Owen Moxon]’, when the lads were all talking about it,” he said. “It was nice to win it, really happy I did.

“For them to vote me that, and to win it…I was buzzing with it. I train with them every day. It means more than most. I’m not saying the other awards are rubbish...but between the lads, it means more to me, definitely.”

Carlisle will know their play-off fate come full-time next Monday and Dennis believes that a run-in which has brought mixed results only counts for so much when the end-of-season shoot-out kicks in.

“I think we knew what sort of run-in we had, you’ve got to play everyone at some time, but we’ve had [higher-placed teams] on consecutive weeks. I think we’ve just got to stay confident and see what the next few weeks brings,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what you’ve done the week or two weeks before…those two [play-off semi-final] games are the biggest games of your life, of your career. To win them and go to Wembley would be a dream.

“I know you’d rather go up automatically and get a few weeks’ extra holiday in the summer, but if you’re guaranteed to win at one place it’s got to be there, hasn’t it?

“Everyone’s going to give their hardest over the next couple of weeks and fingers crossed we get there. The fans have been amazing, home and away, and hopefully we can give them something to shout about come the end of May.”