In Focus: Cumbrians dreaming of a Mox Office Wembley win

Carlisle are on the verge of returning to League One for the first time in nine years as they prepare to face Stockport in the play-off final on Sunday.

The League Two outfit overcame Mark Hughes' Bradford last Saturday and will be looking to dismantle a side they lost and drew to in the regular season.

Owen Moxon will have the chance to send his local club to the third tier having recorded 22 goal contributions and led the league for assists in 2022-23.

Ahead of the spectacle at Wembley, we turn the spotlight on the 25-year-old.

The perfect comeback

Moxon rejoined the Blues at the start of the season having originally left the club's academy as a 16-year-old. 

His return was a welcome sight for the Brunton Park faithful, who had to endure a relegation scrap for the majority of the 2021-22 campaign.

Carlisle have scored 27 more goals than they did last season and their local lad has been a creative outlet for head coach Paul Simpson as he looks to lead the charge for promotion once again.

Simpson, 56, led his native side back to the Football League in 2005 before winning the League Two title the following year.

And if he is to have any hope of replicating his past glories, he will need to have Moxon at his devastating best as the Englishman looks to unlock the division's second-best defence.

Savour the moment

Only Kevin de Bruyne has more assists than Moxon among the 92 Football League teams but the No4 is keeping his feet on the ground ahead of Sunday's showdown.

The midfield maestro insists he has always backed himself to perform and is not taking the opportunity for granted.

He said: "I didn't think I would get to experience a lot of things in life, let alone this and I am so proud.

"These are the moments you dream of as a kid, it's not money, it's not fame, it's moments like this."

Hometown hero

Moxon's journey to becoming a pro player has been long and difficult, especially after leaving the academy nine years ago.

Cumbria's favourite playmaker had spells at Queen of the South and Annan Athletic in Scotland, where he really caught the eye of Carlisle's recruitment team.

After jumping at the opportunity to return home, the midfielder took League Two by storm and has come up clutch when it mattered most.

His parried strike in the semi-final second leg against Bradford was turned in by Brad Halliday for an own goal but it was enough to set the Blues on their way to Wembley.

And Cumbrian fans who are making their way to the capital today will be delighted with Moxon's record against Stockport — the 6ft 1in magician grabbed a goal and assist against them during a 2-2 draw in April.

Stick around

Simpson will want his star man to stick around even if Carlisle remain in League Two next term, but Moxon may prove too tricky to hang on to.

Speaking on the playermaker's future, he said: "He’s certainly got the attitude, ability and all the attributes to go and play higher.

"I don’t want him to go anywhere — I want him to try and achieve something better with Carlisle.

"We want to try and achieve something. And I really want Owen Moxon to be part of it."

Although the summer transfer window is just around the corner, the future can be put on hold for now as Moxon looks to lead the final push towards League Two's last promotion place.