Carlisle United’s second string will aim to avoid a county cup shock at Carlisle City tonight – watched by the Piataks.
The American family seeking to buy the club plan to be at Gillford Park to watch the Fred Conway Cumberland Cup first round tie.
It will see Paul Simpson field a host of first-team squad members against Jim Nichols’ Northern League Division One high-fliers.
Carlisle’s manager said he wants his senior players to put on a professional display against City.
And Simpson – whose nephew Josh captains tonight’s hosts – wants to avoid a repeat of 2022’s county senior cup semi-final exit at the hands of Nichols’ side.
United’s boss will field players who did not feature against Derby County at the weekend, with Dylan McGeouch being considered for a return from injury.
“The majority of them will be playing, because I want to stay in the competition for a start, but I also want these lads to get a proper 90 minutes,” said Simpson.
“They wasted the opportunity at Middlesbrough to get a proper 90 minutes [in last week’s reserve friendly], so now it’s the next chance and hopefully they’ll go and do it properly against Carlisle City.
“It’s a good game for us. We found out last year that if we don’t go and do it properly we’ll get found out.
“These are professional footballers and part of being a professional footballer is playing a game of football. So the lads have to be ready for it, they’ve got to go and show why they are professional footballers, why they’re in a League One club, and hopefully that’ll be the case.”
The likes of Corey Whelan, Dan Butterworth, Taylor Charters, Jayden Harris and Jack Ellis are likely to be among those involved, with youth team players also expected to feature for the Blues.
They will face a City side who sit sixth in Northern League Division One, and who progressed in the FA Vase on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Newcastle Benfield in the second qualifying round, thanks to Sam Atkinson’s stunning goal (below) from the halfway line.
A number of ex-United players are in the City ranks including Scott Simons, Kieron Olsen, Dan Kirkup, Jordan Holt, Dan Hill, Jay Kelly, Keighran Kerr, Roan Steele and Ryan Swailes.
The game will unfold under the eye of the family whose proposed takeover of United is currently subject to a CUOSC members’ vote.
Tom Piatak, speaking at Sunday’s members’ meeting, said the family were keen to take in as many games as possible both during their current trip to Carlisle, and in the coming weeks.
“[When we were coming over we realised] we’ve got the Carlisle City match – alright, we’re gonna be there,” said Piatak. “We don’t want to miss that one.
“Tom II, Jenna, Nick and Alice are going to the Wycombe away game next week [while myself and Patty are on vacation].
“We’re going to the Portsmouth away game, Burton here at home, and the Cambridge away game before heading back to the States.
“We want to be here a lot. We’re planning on spending our holidays here.
“Our plan, in the first year [should the takeover go through] is to attend at least 50 per cent of matches if not more.
“We plan to be accessible any time we need to. We’re committed to being here. We’re looking for a residence. We were thinking in the city, but last night was too loud…there were parties going on until 2am, which was interesting…”
Kick-off at the Three Rivers Health & Safety Consultancy Stadium tonight is 7.30pm. Entry is £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.
Gates open at 6pm and City are advising fans to come as early as possible. "Park sensibly in the local area- the car park at the ground will fill quickly," the club added.
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