West Ham face a second successive home tie should they overcome Aldershot in the first round of the Carling Cup.
Last night's draw paired west Ham with Cumbrian League One side Carlisle, who beat Oldham on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Boundary Park earlier this week to secure their passage through to the second stage of the competition.Should West Ham progress to the second round as expected - United's postponed first round clash with Aldershot is set to take place on Wednesday, 24th August - they will meet Carlisle shortly thereafter, although a date is yet to be confirmed. Second round ties are due to commence from Monday, 22nd August.
It's been nearly 40 years since the two clubs last met in a competitive fixture. Carlisle - who have never recorded a win over West Ham - were last in the top flight during the 1974/75 season and were beaten twice by the Hammers that year.
Frank Lampard's 48th minute goal gave the Irons a 1-0 win at Brunton Park in September 1974 - a win that left West Ham just four points behind then-league leaders Derby.
The corresponding fixture on 1st February was slightly more comfortable for John Lyall's side who ran out 2-0 winners courtesy of goals from Billy Jennings (18 minutes) and Patsy Holland (38). Carlisle were to finish the season bottom, whilst Lyall's West Ham ended 13th after a winless streak of eight games between March and May saw them plummet down the league.
Prior to those meetings you have to go back another 65 years to find the last clashes between the two Uniteds. A first round FA Cup tie played at the Boleyn Ground in January 1910 ended in a 1-1 draw - Fred Blackburn scoring for West Ham - before West Ham ran out 5-0 winners in the replay five days later, also though to have been held in Upton Park; goals coming from Blackburn (2), Webb, Shea and Randall.
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