The Reds begin a run of four tricky games against sides in the top six when Newport County visit the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday.
The Welsh side currently occupy third in the Sky Bet League Two table after an impressive first third of the season, three points ahead of fourth place and four points behind first.
They scored a 98th minute winner when they beat Stevenage last time out at Rodney Parade, while the Reds will looking to improve after a 3-1 defeat at Colchester.
HEAD TO HEAD
Having originally met for the first time in our Conference winning season, Crawley have now met their Welsh counterparts ten times in all competitions, and our record is exactly five wins each with no draws.
The first ever meeting was two months into our title winning campaign, and Newport were one of just three sides to defeat us all season as they recorded a 3-2 win at the Broadfield Stadium. Danny Rose gave County the lead in the first half, but Richard Brodie and Scott Neilson quickly turned things around and they led 2-1. Craig Reid leveled before the break the make it a exhilarating first period. Darryl Knights scored a couple of minutes after the half time break, and that was enough for the Exiles to record the win.
Just a week later, the Reds travelled to South Wales in the FA Cup, on the run, which eventually led to us Old Trafford. Craig McAllister’s goal just thirteen minutes from the end at Spytty Park sent the Reds through to the next round. It also ended a miraculous home run that saw Newport unbeaten in 18 months.
The return league fixture at the same ground also ended with a 1-0 win for Crawley, with the title already wrapped up. This time it was Dean Howell who scored the winner.
Our first meeting as a Football League club came in the old Johnstone’s Paints Trophy, and despite a incredible half-way line goal from Mike Jones after an Emile Sinclair opener, County came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, which was eventually sealed by Connor Essam’s own goal.
Since then, the Reds have won three and lost three, including a 3-0 win in Wales thanks to Gwion Edwards’ brace and a Matt Harrold strike.
ONE TO WATCH
Mickey Demetriou has scored four goals in his last three matches against Crawley, scoring the winning goal in all three of those games. The Sussex-born defender is prone to a run into the opposition half and this is from where he poses the most threat. He has played internationally for England C and joined Newport from Shrewsbury Town, after a good spell with Kidderminster Harriers in the National League.
TICKETS
Tickets for the next three home games, including Newport, are now on sale from the box office, over the phone or online.
Tickets can be bought online here.
COVERAGE
Subscribers to iFollow can listen to the game within the UK, and overseas users can watch the action, with both featuring from Gary Smith of BBC Sussex from 2.55pm.
The official Crawley Town social media accounts will provide live coverage of the action on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
