2024/25 Prediction League Game 44 v Carlisle United (home)

Div3North · 20-04-2025, 23:30

Accrington Stanley

V

Carlisle United

2024/25 Prediction League Game 44 v Carlisle (home)

We are mostly, by birth or adoption, “Northern”, and as such – many would say – we talk funny, a la Victoria Wood ……… so, it seems to me, that if there were a European team called “Eyup”, we should support them with non-patriotic fervour …………. Well, there actually is a team called “Eyup” ……….. but in which country are they based?

And maybe you saw the recent sad news of the death, aged 36, of former Rochdale, Tranmere, Bury and Carlisle midfielder Joe Thompson: Joe was first diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in November 2013, but – with loads of love and support – his illness went into remission, only to return in March 2017 …… he beat it again in the summer of that year, but in April 2024 he was yet again diagnosed, this time with stage four lymphoma; he died on 17th April this year ………………. He left a wife and daughter, and had the support, admiration, and love of all true football fans of all teams (especially NW sides)

Requiescat in pace, Joe…………….

On 18th January this year, Walsall were 12 points clear at the top of League Two, with a game in hand on many of the teams behind them …… they then went on a run of 6 draws and four defeats, and after a 2-0 reverse at Barrow on 12th April they dropped from the auto promotion spots into the playoffs …………in their last 18 games they’ve won but twice (in February) …… I know we can’t hold onto a winning position, but that must be one of the greatest losses of form ever …………… I’d sooner be an Accy fan than a Saddler at the moment (although a former friend told me some while ago that, because my personal and domestic circumstances prevent me attending home games, I’m a supporter, not a fan) ……. And frankly, he can foxtrot Oscar ……….

Starter for Ten number two; there was a charity game played in Bungay in Suffolk in 2012 where about 70 people (all called Bungay) travelled with two teams of players, mascots and a Doctor to play out a friendly 6-6 draw ………… but why would John Bungay and Chris Bungay remember the game rather better than the rest?

So far this season Carlisle have been managed by Paul Simpson, Mark Birch, Mike Williamson and Mark Hughes; they went out of the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Trophy at the first stage, and played us on 29th December, picking up 5 yellows (as did we) and a flukey 2-1 win (on the goggle box! Oh the shame!) As at close of play on 1st April they had 31 points and looked dead and buried, but they’ve won their last three – 3-2 v Newport, 2-0 at Morecambe, and 3-2 v Port Vale …………. But I suspect the Voodoo Gods of Football have noticed and noted ……….. since 1st January they’ve signed eight players, plus four more on loan (watch out for Sheff Wednesday’s CM Sean Fusewire)

Starter for Ten number three; the furthest distance travelled by a direct freekick into the opponents’ net in the Prawn Sandwich League was, by common consent, 95 or 96 yards back in 2007: but who scored it?

Two from four to go down (Shrewsbury are down from League One, and Crawley and Cambridge getting their calculators out, and AC Fylde (formerly Kirkham and Wesham) and Ebbsfleet will be GreasyPoling from the Bananarama)

Accy have 46 points and the best GD by +10; Tranmere have 44; Carlisle have 40 and Morecambe have 36 …………….. after this week Carlisle play Cheltenham away and Salford at home; Tranmere play Barrow away today, then Crewe at home and Newport away; Morecambe are at home to Salford, then away to Chesterfield and home to Harrogate; and we go to Walsall (see above) and finish at home to TwistySpires Utd ………….We all have three to play, so maximum points are 55 for us, 53 for Tranmere, 49 for Carlisle and 45 for Morecambe …………… Somebody, maybe mab I think, mentioned that we only need one point to stay up, which is true IF WE TAKE THAT POINT (or more) FROM THE CARLISLE GAME …………. And the Head-to-Head is 4-2 to us with three draws …..

And I hope Morecambe make it, but I fear for them …………….

Deadline for entries is scheduled kick-off time, which is 3.00pm on Easter Monday ……….And Eyup (or “Eyupspor”) are based in Istanbul ………… And in the "Bungay Classic”, Referee ohn Bungay sent off Chris Bungay for swearing, which was a bit of a *&^%$£* beggar, because the aforesaid Chris B had travelled from Queensland in Australia to Suffolk to play in the game ………….. and the 95 (or 96) yard direct free kick was walloped upfield by Spurs’ GK Paul Robinson, bounced over England colleague Ben Foster in the Watford goal, and landed in the back of the net

Good luck to Accy! ………. Good luck to everyone …………. Keep the Faith! …….. and thanks for playing!

Come on you Reds!