Easier for Abbott’s men

Jun 18 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

OF the north’s two League One contenders, Carlisle United have been given the easier start to what could prove a tricky campaign.

While the Cumbrians and their manager Greg Abbott host newly-promoted Brentford on the opening day, Hartlepool travel to the MK Dons before hosting relegated Charlton at Victoria Park.

Granted, Abbott’s men will not be looking forward to travelling to Millwall – where their form is poor – but then they play at cash-strapped Stockport, at home to Exeter and then at Leyton Orient.

That is a more inviting run of games than for Chris Turner’s Pool, who host Bristol Rovers and Norwich in the opening weeks as well as travelling to newly-promoted Gillingham.

The stark decline of Southampton, Charlton and Norwich – in addition to the inability of Leeds to extricate themselves from the third tier – makes it a difficult division to predict. Carlisle boss Abbott, though, believes that it is a good way to kick off the campaign.

“It is a great start for us,” he said. “We have Stockport and Brentford in those early weeks and, while Millwall away is a very tough fixture, we’ve mostly got games where we have got to be thinking about getting something out of them.”

Meanwhile, for cash-strapped Darlington simply being involved in the fixture list is a triumph of sorts.

The Quakers have a difficult start to the League Two season with a trip to Aldershot. “We have to accept the fixtures are out and we prepare in the best possible way,” said manager Colin Todd. “But it tells everyone around the league that we’re alive and kicking.”