The best day on the football calendar is finally upon us - the first day of the Non-League season. To start things off, we have our best bets and predictions for Carlisle vs Worthing. With the visitors having to travel 360 miles, it is the longest journey in the entire English football pyramid - nearly double the miles than it would take to travel from Woodside Road to the Eiffel Tower.
95 points and a third place finish would normally represent a successful season - not for Carlisle who were looking to bounce back after back to back relegations. A play-off semi final defeat to Boreham Wood ultimately cost the pragmatic Mark Hughes his job, with the more expansive Rob Elliot hired as his replacement.
The Cumbrians are the biggest side in the league and will look to assert their dominance early on against a Worthing side playing at this level for the first time. Brunton Park was a fortress for Carlisle, who took 50 points from 23 games, scoring 53 goals in the process. However, they did concede over one goal per game in front of their home fans and have a mountain of defensive injuries - something that will greatly encourage the visitors.
After three playoff defeats in a row, Worthing won the title at the fourth time of asking, pipping Hornchurch on the final day in front of a packed-out Woodside Road. It was a fantastic achievement for the South Coast club who were lingering in 16th in October before club legend Adam Hinshelwood came back an led them up the league. The Rebels fearless attacking play often led them open at the back, but their expansive style of play often saw them carve open opposition defences with ease. With 99 goals scored last campaign, Worthing will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet on Saturday - a game in which Hinshelwood may see as a 'free hit'.
Carlisle will want to make a statement to the rest of the league and Elliot will want to make a good first impression to the Brunton Park crowd, while newbies Worthing go into this game with nothing to lose and may fancy their chances of upsetting the strong favourites.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals - 2.10
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