The Footballing Pyramid's Hottest Attacking Duo Right Now

The Footballing Pyramid's Hottest Attacking Duo Right Now

Carlisle United sit at the top of the National League after 18 games played. The side has won 12 games and only lost 3 times.

Brimming with confidence, the Cumbrians are hoping to bounce back into the Football League come the end of the season, and if their recent form is anything to go by, then they are sure to achieve their goals.

Despite Carlisle's blistering form, there is one thing, or two, that are really sticking out in the National League for them. The dynamic duo in attack, consisting of Christopher Conn-Clarke and Regan Linney, are terrifying defences up and down the country.

🔥 Regan Linney is the only player in England’s top five leagues with more domestic goals than Erling Haaland 👏@ReganLinney1

📍 Carlisle United FC | National League⁰📊 League: 17 Games | ⚽ 11 Goals | 🅰️ 4 Assists | ⏱️ 1441 Minutes⁰⚽ All Competitions: 18 Games | ⚽ 14 Goals… pic.twitter.com/sZwRUGKtnd

— CSN Football Videos (@csnfootballvids) November 7, 2025

Today we will be taking a look at the duo's numbers, what they can achieve, and what their solid form means for Carlisle and their promotion hopes.

Friends From the Get-Go

Agent Linney👀

Regan Linney opens up on his role in bringing one of his "best mates" Chris Conn-Clarke to Carlisle🤝@officialcufc | #CUFC pic.twitter.com/wLeKru46QZ

— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) October 20, 2025

Both Regan Linney and Christopher Conn-Clarke signed for Carlisle this summer. However, this wasn't the first time the pair shared the field together. In the 2023/24 season, the pair played together at National League side Altrincham. During this season, the duo notched up a combined 36 goals in the league for Altrincham.

Therefore, a reunion never looked like a bad idea. Linney was signed permanently by Carlisle, whilst Conn-Clarke is currently spending the season on loan from Peterborough United.

Is It a Bird? Is it a Plane? No, it's Regan Linney

This season so far, Linney has been immense in front of goal for the Cumbrians. In 18 league appearances, he has scored 12 goals and notched up 4 assists. Now 28 years old, the striker is well and truly coming into his prime years, and it is no surprise that he finds himself with 15 goals in 19 appearances across all competitions this season. Perhaps his best display of all season was his heroic hat-trick against League One side Reading, which saw Carlisle progress to the next round of the FA Cup.

When Carlisle needed a hero, Regan Linney stepped up! 🦸

A dramatic hat-trick puts the Cumbrians through against League One Reading 👏 pic.twitter.com/65MAVDQGD8

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 1, 2025

Statistically, Linney looks even more impressive. Currently, he is the only player in England's top 5 leagues to have more goals than Erling Haaland.

Conn-Clarke's Chaos

Christopher Conn-Clarke is a known menace in the National League, having previously torn it up with Altrincham, scoring 22 in 47 league games back in 2023/24

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder offers a unique blend of physicality and flair that allows him to be used effectively down the middle.

A goal and an assist on Saturday night, well deserved, Chris! 👏 https://t.co/L2PbVjthV2 pic.twitter.com/lRIirVnt0d

— Carlisle United (@officialcufc) November 10, 2025

So far this season, Conn-Clarke has 3 goals and 4 assists in just 6 appearances. His form has been electric, and his partnership with Linney might just be keeping Carlisle fans on the edge of their seats this season.

Carlisle's Dream

The end of the 2024/25 season saw Carlisle drop out of the Football League for the first time since 2004.

In a time of immense chaos regarding managerial shifts, Carlisle needed a stronger form of stability at the helm. February 2025 saw the Cumbrians acquire former Premier League player and manager Mark Hughes.

🤝 Carlisle United Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Hughes as the club’s new head coach.

Read more. ⤵️

— Carlisle United (@officialcufc) February 6, 2025

The experienced head of Mark Hughes, accompanied by a team of players more suited to the Football League, bodes well for Carlisle's future. Also, the formidable duo of Christopher Conn-Clarke and Regan Linney is sure to include some more dynamite in weeks to come.