Match Report
On the table this was a mismatch: Port Vale (2nd, 80 pts) held a 38-point advantage over Carlisle United (23rd, 42 pts). Carlisle United ranked 6th in the league on five-round form, well above their 23rd table position. In league terms the two rates read 0.96/1.54 for Carlisle United and 1.41/1 for Port Vale (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.25.
Port Vale arrived on a run of four straight wins.
The head-to-head ledger counts 15 games: 6 Carlisle United wins, 6 for Port Vale, 3 draws, at 1.93 goals per meeting. Home advantage has meant little here: 40% of the meetings went to the host.
The match was played at Brunton Park (capacity 18,202). Carlisle United led 2-0 at the break, and the second half added 3 goals for the 3-2 full-time score.
Goal scorers
Carlisle United: Georgie Kelly (36'), Matthew Dennis (43'), Aaron Hayden (49') · Port Vale: Sam Hart (70'), Jayden Stockley (61')
Key stats
Possession: Carlisle United 55% · Port Vale 45% · Total shots: 17-15 · On target: 4-6 · Corners: 4-5