SCENE SETTER
John Yems’ men are ready for yet another trip up north in their twelfth league game of the season against newly-promoted League Two debutants Harrogate Town.
FORM GUIDE
The Reds sit tight in eighth in the Sky Bet League Two table, one position below the play-off places, after a Tuesday night defeat to Walsall in a game where Crawley were certainly unfortunate to not pick up a point - or perhaps even three.
1-0 was the final score despite Crawley sharing more possession and having an extra shot on target, as well as Tom Nichols striking the woodwork. The following Sunday, the Reds would travel to Devon for the second time this season to take on National League leaders Torquay United, in a game that would turn out to be one of the greatest FA Cup ties of all time.
Goals from Aaron Nemane and Ben Whitfield put the hosts 2-0 up before the half-hour mark, in a poor start to the game from Crawley. But after the break, following another twenty-minute stoppage, Nichols slammed in from the spot before eighteen minutes of added time were indicated.
Max Watters was the man to clinch an equaliser in the 104th minute of normal time before Josh Umerah put the hosts ahead on 108 minutes, with a goal that silenced the Reds. However, that Crawley spirit was again present as we raced down the other end with silky transitions before the ball was squared across to the back post, finding Tunnicliffe who made it 3-3 right before the whistle, on 90+21 minutes.
The game again appeared to be over as Asa Hall scored two from the spot in the first-half of extra-time, but Tom Nichols was quick to respond a minute later before completing his hat-trick, heading in a marvellous Tarryn Allarakhia cross.
Reds had 5 minutes to find an incredible winner and it was found through Ashley Nadesan who brought down a delightful pass from Player of the Round, Tom Nichols, before drilling under the diving body of Lucas to complete a 6-5 victory in an all-time classic.
Our opposition for Saturday started the season brightly, with a 4-0 away victory against Southend United, before beating the likes of Bradford City and Barrow.
But now the Sulphurites are winless in four, failing to win at home to Tranmere Rovers and Stevenage, and losing out 2-1 away at Newport County and Colchester United.
THE HISTORY
Tomorrow’s fixture is the first League Two meeting between the two sides.
THE OPPOSITION
Jack Muldoon poses a goal threat for The Sulphurites, scoring six times in nine league appearances so far, after netting 14 times in Harrogate’s previous promotion campaign in the National League.
Captain Josh Falkingham sits in the heart of midfield for Harrogate, and acts as a box-to-box player that gets stuck in and intercepts key passes. Falkingham played in Scotland for five seasons at Dunfermline FC, before a brief spell at Darlington ahead of his move to Harrogate in 2017.
TEAM NEWS
Sam Matthews remains a doubt following his concussion. Tom McGill and Reece Grego-Cox are unavailable.
HOW THEY BET*
Harrogate Town - 12/11
Draw - 13/5
Crawley Town - 13/5
COVERAGE
You can purchase a match pass on iFollow Crawley for £10 by clicking here.
