Latest news with #NealArdley
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Woking boss: Superior Carlisle United 'old-manned' us
Woking boss Neal Ardley said his side were 'old-manned' by Carlisle United – who were at a higher level than his team. The Cards manager admitted his players were 'anxious' on the opening day of the National League season as Mark Hughes' Blues prevailed. And Ardley felt Carlisle's know-how proved telling as the Cumbrians secured a 2-0 victory. 'We went through their [Carlisle's] squad before, and there are loads of League One and League Two quality players,' said Ardley. 'We knew that we had to perform very, very well. 'We didn't. We're not going to dress it up. We played with anxiety. You can't find overloads and cause the opposition problems if your anxiety causes you to make wrong decisions, not work your patterns or play with clarity. 'On top of that we didn't do enough of the basics well. Hughes: Carlisle United's display at Woking sets the tone for season 'Their back line worked quicker up the pitch than we did. We couldn't get in on balls down the side, they kept getting in on balls between us. 'They were more intense on closing us down from throw-ins. 'You can't not perform great with the ball then not do the basics with the ball. Woking try to get to grips with United new boy Regan Linney (Image: Richard Parkes) 'It all spirals from being caught in the moment, it's 100mph, and you're playing against a team who can 'old man' you. They've got knowhow, experience, they're dogged and they know how to grind out results, which is why they'll be up there at the end.' After a goalless first half, Luke Armstrong and Ethan Robson struck to send United to an opening-day victory. While home keeper Craig Ross impressed with a number of good saves, Ardley accepted his side were not at Carlisle's level overall. Woking 0-2 Carlisle United: as it happened! 'We came out a bit brighter in the second half but the two goals kill you,' he said in a club interview. 'We huffed and puffed. They've kept loads of clean sheets through pre-season and it showed. 'They looked at a higher level than us at the moment. 'We need to flip back to how we play and make sure we're better at not letting the opposition test our goalie. 'But we've got to accept we played against a strong team and we underperformed. When you put those two together, you're likely to get a negative result.' Ardley reiterated his belief that Carlisle have a squad that should make them serious promotion contenders in 2025/26. 'They've recruited well. You go through most teams in League One and League Two, and if they [Carlisle] had a firesale, they'd take a load of their players,' he said. 'They'll be a strong outfit I'm sure throughout the season.' FLASH SALE: Get unlimited access to every Carlisle United article by subscribing to the News & Star for £6 for 6 months or a full year at half price - click for details
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlisle United announce sell-out for National League opener at Woking
Carlisle United will take a sell-out away support to Woking for their first game of the National League season. The Cumbrians have announced that the Blue Army have snapped up the full allocation for next Saturday's trip to the Kingfield Stadium. It will mean a bumper 826-strong backing for Mark Hughes as Carlisle play their first game in the fifth tier for 20 years. All tickets for travelling fans are terracing, with no seating tickets made available to Carlisle fans. United's supporters will be on the Chris Lane Terrace as Hughes' side take on Neal Ardley's Cards in the 2025/26 opener. Announcing the sell-out, Carlisle said: "Starting as we mean to go on - thank you for your magnificent support, Blues." It will be United's first trip to Woking for 20 years - their last encounter coming in the FA Trophy in February 2005 (Image: Max Flego) The away tickets went on sale to season ticket holders first, with members then getting priority before general sale started. It will be the third trip to Woking's ground in United's history, and their first game at fifth tier level since 2005. The Cumbrians faced the Cards twice in the league during the Conference season of 2004/05, and also faced Woking in the FA Trophy that season. In the league, Paul Simpson's side drew 1-1 at Kingfield thanks to a Karl Hawley goal, with the Trophy trip seeing United beaten 1-0 in the fifth round. The Blues' home meeting with Woking that season saw a 2-1 victory courtesy of goals by Chris Lumsdon and Simon Grand. FLASH SALE: Get unlimited access to every Carlisle United article by subscribing to the News & Star for £6 for 6 months or a full year at half price - click for details
