The Opposition

Carlisle United were founded in 1896 and have been playing at their Brunton Park home since 1909. They first entered the Football League in 1928, finishing eighth in the Third Division North. The club stayed there until the system split into the third and fourth division in the late 1950s, and gained just their second ever promotion in 1962.

A period of success came throughout the 60s and 70s as they were in the Second Division, and even spent one season in the top flight in 1974-75. They were relegated, but recorded a best-ever finish in the FA Cup, reaching the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Fulham.

They played in several different tiers in the following years before losing their Football League status in 2004. They recorded a double promotion immediately, securing League One football in 2006. In 2014, they went down to League Two, and after winning the playoffs in 2023, promotion to League One resulted in a double relegation the following season. This is now their second season in the Enterprise National League after losing the playoff semi-final last season.

DID YOU KNOW: The club is the closest English professional football club to Scotland.

Who’s in the dugout?

Head Coach Rob Elliott has been in charge since May, following the departure of Mark Hughes after the Cumbrians’ defeat in the playoffs.

Elliott’s side is currently 14th in the National League, picking up five draws and four wins in the 26/27 campaign.

FA Cup Rewind

The Emirates FA Cup in 2025/26 saw some memorable moments, but how did both teams perform last time out?

Carlisle United

Fourth Qualifying Round: Carlisle United 5-2 Boston United
First Round Proper: Reading 2-3 Carlisle United
Second Round Proper: Blackpool 4-1 Carlisle United

Tamworth

Fourth Qualifying Round: Tamworth 1-0 Hyde United
First Round Proper: Tamworth 0-1 Leyton Orient

FA Cup – First Round in Lambs history

3 November 2025: Tamworth 0-1 Leyton Orient

It was a narrow defeat at home to the O’s at the Lamb Ground in Tamworth’s most recent FA Cup match. An attendance of 2,820 watched on as Manny Duku’s finish inside one minute was ruled out for offside, one of many chances as the Lambs threatened in the first half.

However, despite the solid defending, Orient made a breakthrough in the 79th minute as Kennedy Digie’s guided a header into the corner of his own net and the Lambs went behind.

1 November 2024: Tamworth 1-0 Huddersfield Town

More than 3,500 people watched as Tamworth eliminated League One side Huddersfield Town out of the Emirates FA Cup.

The Terriers were 57 places above Tamworth, but went behind in the 44th minute as Tom Tonks launched a long throw into the box and it resulted in Chris Maxwell fumbling the ball into his own net.

The Lambs comfortably saw off the rest of the game and advanced to the Second Round to face a local tie away at Burton Albion. After winning a close game on penalties, a memorable day at the Lamb Ground saw Tamworth host Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur.

After battling for 90 minutes, the tie went to extra time where the fitness levels became apparent and Tottenham advanced through to the Fourth Round.

9 November 2013: Tamworth v Cheltenham Town

Tamworth were in the fifth tier in 2013-14 when they eliminated League Two Cheltenham Town.

An assist from Justin Richards saw Nick Chadwick’s right-footed effort beat Scott Brown in the Cheltenham net. The Lambs almost doubled their lead in the second half, and held on to secure victory and setup a home tie with Bristol City, where they lost 2-1 to the Robins.

Peaks Speaks – Carlisle United

“It’s the FA Cup. We love the FA Cup. We’ve had a fantastic few years in it, and we’ve had a particularly tough draw this year away from home and at such a long distance. I’m sure some will make the trip, and rest assured we’ll be trying because we love the competition. It’s probably as tough a game as we could’ve got both geographically and the team we’re up against, but that’s football. We’ll go there on the back of some decent performances, and hopefully some of the fans will follow up and get behind the boys.”

Elsewhere in the Fourth Round Qualifying

AFC Fylde v Atherton Collieries
AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Morecambe
Aldershot Town v Tadley Calleva
Altrincham v FC United of Manchester
Barrow v Gloucester City
Bedford Town v Cray Wanderers
Boreham Wood v Woking
Boston United v Scunthorpe United
Bury v Harrogate Town (12:30)
Chesham United v Forest Green Rovers
Chorley v Worcester City
Dover Athletic v Dorking Wanderers
Eastleigh v Brentwood Town
FC Halifax Town v South Shields
Gateshead v Stafford Rangers
Harborough Town v Spennymoor Town
Hartlepool United v Marine
Kidderminster Harriers v Solihull Moors
Leatherhead v Yeovil Town
Leiston v Guiseley
Macclesfield v Anstey Nomads
Plymouth Parkway v Chertsey Town
Salisbury v Eastbourne Borough
Sholing v SE Dons
Southend United v Berkhamsted
Spalding United v Alvechurch
Sutton United v Truro City
Torquay United v Oxford City
Uxbridge v Hornchurch
Wealdstone v Worthing
Wimborne Town v Chelmsford City