SCENE SETTER
John Yems’ men are ready for a return to The People’s Pension Stadium as we take on Carlisle United who make the long journey down south for tomorrow’s Sky Bet League Two clash.
FORM GUIDE
The Reds are currently in ninth spot in the Sky Bet League Two table, after a 1-1 away draw in Harrogate, now sitting two positions below the play-off places.
Crawley started the game strongly, with Tom Nichols dropping in behind Max Watters and Ashley Nadesan up front to create a diamond formation, as Tarryn Allarakhia joined Jack Powell and Jake Hessenthaler in midfield.
It was the recently crowned PFA Bristol Street Motors October Player of the Month, Max Watters, who put the Reds ahead in the first-half, after some fantastic work from Tom Nichols to recover the ball in a tight area before squaring it across for the bagsman to strike past Belshaw. Making it six league goals in seven appearances for the Reds, also achieving the best goals to minutes played ratio in the league.
Tomorrow’s opposition have had a bright start to the season, sitting three places above the Reds in sixth, within the play-off positions. Carlisle have been very successful at home, winning five from six, yet away from Brunton Park the away side have only achieved five points from six games, similar to the form of the Reds.
In Carlisle’s previous clash, Cheltenham Town travelled to Cumbria to put a stop to Carlisle’s 100% record at home, as the Robin’s energetic early start was too much for the hosts to handle, losing out 2-1 after conceding two in the first-half. Carlisle shared more possession and grew into the game, but the resilient defence of Cheltenham were able to hang on for all three points.
THE HISTORY
Previous form between the two sides makes bad reading for any Reds fans, with Crawley being winless in the last thirteen meetings since 2013, with the last win for the Reds coming away from home in 2012, with goals from Nathan Byrne and Nicky Adams securing a 2-0 win in League One.
The last fixture between the sides ended goalless at The People’s Pension Stadium, despite a strong showing from John Yems’ side, who lined up with the likes of Josh Cogley, Panutche Camara and Ollie Palmer in the starting XI.
THE OPPOSITION
Carlisle United pose many different threats across the field, with many talented players in the final third. Jonathan Mellish has netted eleven times in all competitions this season, with seven coming in the league. Mellish plays in the midfield for Carlisle and has tallied a high number of goals for a non-striker.
As well as Mellish, Carlisle possess other attacking options; experienced pro Lewis Alessandra and Ireland U21 international, Joshua Kayode, are pacey in wide positions and have chipped in with goals and assists this season. Forward Omari Patrick, who played 90 minutes at The People’s Pension Stadium last time out, has also recently made his way back into the side.
TEAM NEWS
Tom McGill, Reece Grego-Cox and Nathan Ferguson are unavailable for tomorrow’s game. Glenn Morris could be back in contention.
HOW THEY BET*
Crawley Town - 7/4
Draw - 12/5
Carlisle United - 17/11
COVERAGE
You can purchase a match pass on iFollow Crawley for £10 by clicking here.
