Harry Kewell’s side will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to Stevenage when they travel to Bristol Rovers in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday
It will be the Reds’ fifth cup match against the Pirates in five years, with the other four ties taking place in the FA Cup.
SLOW STARTERS
With Crawley’s defeat on Saturday, coupled with the win at Cheltenham on the opening day, it’s been a mixed bag so far for the Reds.
Bristol Rovers have lost both of their games so far, with a 2-1 defeat at Peterborough United on the opening day and a loss by the same score line at home to Accrington Stanley at the weekend.
Stefan Payne grabbed a late equaliser against the Lancashire outfit, but a stoppage time strike by Sean McConville won the points for Stanley.
STAR MAN
Striker Tom Nichols is one man who could gain a place in the starting line up on Tuesday after sitting out of the defeat to Accrington. The former Exeter and Peterborough United forward signed for the Gas in 2017 from the Posh and has brought his prolific form to the West Country. He could cause problems for Kewell’s side on Tuesday, as he’s scored against the Reds before for Exeter.
HEAD TO HEAD
Aside from the four FA Cup matches the two teams have played each other in the league a further four times. Despite Rovers having the better record in the cup competitions – two wins from the two replays – Crawley actually have the better record in the league, recording two victories to Rovers’ one, with one draw. A 4-1 win at the Broadfield Stadium in our debut Football League season is our biggest against Rovers to date with goals from Ben Smith, Matt Tubbs and a Tyrone Barnett brace.
The Gas needed extra time to overcome Dermot Drummy’s Reds’ last time the sides met. That match finished 4-2 after a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes. Matt Harrold and Jordan Roberts scored for Crawley that night.
TICKET INFO
Reds fans will be in the seated South Stand.
Prices - Adults £10, Concesions and U-16s £5, U-11 £1.
Six wheelchair spaces (uncovered) available at same prices. Carer goes free.
Ambulant disabled spaces (row A, South Stand) available at same prices. Carer goes free.
Tickets will be on sale until 1.30pm on Tuesday August 14 from the Box Office and will also be available at Bristol Rovers before the game.
COVERAGE
If you’re not travelling to the Memorial Ground, the club’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram will have all the action from Bristol with live updates.
BBC Sussex & Surrey’s Gary Smith will also be providing live commentary via the EFL’s iFollow subscription service for UK listeners, while overseas subscribers will be able to watch the action.
