Can Carlisle United end league jinx against Harrogate Town?

The Blues have never beaten the Sulphurites in league football – and Saturday would be a perfect time to banish the jinx.

The latest meeting comes at Brunton Park at a time United are desperate for a positive afternoon after sinking to the bottom of League Two.

They take on a visiting side who are 14th after their first 11 games of the campaign.

Meetings with long-serving Simon Weaver’s team and club over the years have proved largely fruitless for United.

In the 2020/21 season Carlisle first had TWO aborted trips to the EnviroVent Stadium, firstly seeing their game abandoned after ten minutes because of a frozen pitch, then a floodlight failure curtailing their return visit.

Simon Weaver's side have never lost to United in the league (Image: Barbara Abbott)

When the game eventually got played, Carlisle’s Covid-hit promotion-chasing side lost 1-0 as they began a slide out of contention.

United drew 1-1 with Harrogate at home later that season before losing to the Yorkshire club three times in 2021/22.

That included a 2-0 home defeat and 3-0 away reverse, while Harrogate also knocked the Blues out of the Papa John’s Trophy 1-0.

The 2022/23 United promotion season also saw Harrogate as thorns in Carlisle’s side.

READ MORE: Williamson on 'honest' discussions after Wimbledon slump

It took a last-minute Owen Moxon header to force a 3-3 draw in the away meeting, Weaver’s men having come from behind to lead. That game had been rearranged from another postponement - this time when football was temporarily paused after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The return game at Brunton Park was another case of United’s bogey side returning to inflict more pain, Harrogate winning 1-0 despite not having a single shot on target, Paul Huntington’s late own-goal handing the points to the visitors.

Harrogate also dispatched United from the Carabao Cup last season, winning 1-0, although the Blues did defeat the Sulphurites in the Trophy, a 2-0 win their first victory of any sort in nine meetings in league and cup.

This weekend’s encounter comes amid a £10 ticket promotion which United hope will lead to an increased attendance.

It also sees scrutiny on the Blues amid their poor early-season form.

Head coach Mike Williamson says Harrogate are opponents to be respected – but also hopes his team can rise to the occasion amid a heightened atmosphere and boosted crowd.

“We’re playing against a good team and a manager [Weaver] who we faced quite a few times over the years from the National League all the way to where we are now,” Williamson said.

Harrogate No2 Paul Thirlwell, right, pictured with former Carlisle team-mate Chris Lumsdon (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“He’s been in the football club a long time so he's been developing and they look very organised.

“They've got a good squad, they've had a good start to the season, and they sit solid mid-table looking to build and push towards the play-offs.

“We want as many fans through the door as we can possibly get. We want the noise as much as we possibly can get, because we're looking forward to it.

“We know it's going to be a test but we're focused on ourselves.”

Harrogate, whose assistant manager is the former Carlisle captain Paul Thirlwell, have won four, drawn two and lost five in the league so far.

Away from home they have won one, drawn two and lost two. Weaver is the longest-serving manager in the top four divisions having been at the Harrogate helm for 15 years.