SCENE SETTER
Reds are ready for their fifth competitive away trip of the season as we take on Exeter City at St James’ Park tomorrow evening, in our seventh Sky Bet League Two fixture of the campaign.
FORM GUIDE
The Reds were 4-0 victors over league leaders Morecambe on Saturday at The People’s Pension Stadium; second-half goals from George Francomb, Tyler Frost and a brace from Max Watters on his league debut combined to produce a spectacular second-half showing from the Reds, who arguably played their best football of the season so far.
The special victory, which saw places in the League Two Team of the Week for Frost, Francomb and Jack Powell, put an end to a disappointing previous week, with defeats to Arsenal U21 and Cheltenham Town. The addition of ex-Doncaster striker, Watters, has already proved a brilliant signing, with the forward scoring 3 goals in his first 135 minutes of competitive football for the Reds.
Tomorrow’s opposition, Exeter, are unbeaten in their previous 5 competitive games, keeping two clean sheets against top-half Walsall and current league leaders Cambridge United. Winning three times and drawing twice. Exeter sit in 12th, one point behind the Reds in the league table.
THE HISTORY
Crawley have a very strong recent record at St James’ Park, winning twice and claiming three draws on their last 5 trips to Devon. Last time out an Ashley Nadesan dink put the Reds ahead after the half-hour mark, but Brennan Dickenson equalised for the hosts late on as the game finished 1-1, on John Yems’ return to his former club.
Before this, in April 2019, the Reds ran out 3-1 victors, with a Reece Grego-Cox brace and a goal from Filipe Morais. The last time Exeter beat the Reds at home was a 2-0 win in 2007, in England’s fifth tier.
THE OPPOSITION
A man who was crucial for the Grecians last season, Randell Williams, remains a huge threat from the right flank this season, as he remained at the club despite reported interest from many clubs within the EFL. Matt Jay is another attacking threat who has scored three times already this season, in games against tough opposition in Cambridge, Salford and Forest Green.
The Grecians have narrowly missed out on promotion on a number of occasions in recent years, and will certainly look to finally reach England’s third tier this time round after a solid start.
TEAM NEWS
Ashley Nadesan looks like a doubt for tomorrow after an injury sustained against Morecambe on Saturday.
Reece Grego-Cox remains absent after the injury he picked up at St James’ Park last season.
HOW THEY BET*
Exeter 3/4
Draw 13/5
Crawley 16/5
*Odds correct with EFL partners Sky Bet at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
COVERAGE
You can watch all the action live on iFollow buy purchasing a match pass for £10 by clicking here.
