SCENE SETTER
Reds face their first competitive away trip of the 2020/21 season when we travel to the Priestfield Stadium to take on League One club Gillingham FC tomorrow at 5:30pm, in our first of three EFL Trophy group stage games.
FORM GUIDE
Before the Carabao Cup loss to Millwall on Saturday, the Reds ran out 2-1 winners over Crystal Palace U23, before drawing to Tottenham Hotspur U23 behind closed doors, and remaining unbeaten in pre-season with a 1-1 draw with Watford U23 at our Horsham FC Training Ground.
In late August, our opposition lost pre-season friendlies to League Two side Leyton Orient and championship Reading, but managed a 1-0 victory against Southend United in the Carabao Cup, progressing to the second round.
THE HISTORY
In the past decade, the Reds have faced Gillingham on nine different occasions, with Crawley winning 3 of these ties, and the opposition 5. The last clash between the two was also in the EFL Trophy group stage, where we travelled to the Priestfield Stadium losing out 2-1. Dominic Poleon put the Reds ahead in the first half but Gillingham had too much in the end, fighting back and finding two goals late on from Elliott List and Bradley Stevenson.
THE OPPOSITION
Gillingham possess a lot of strength and power up front, with former Red, John Akinde, leading the line alongside new addition Vadaine Oliver against Southend United on Saturday.
The Gills also have another ex-Red on their books, as Matty Willock looks likely to feature tomorrow evening, after he was substituted on against Southend in the second half. Another key man for the hosts is 20-year-old loanee Zech Medley, a young defender from Arsenal’s U23s.
TEAM NEWS
After signing earlier today, the club are awaiting FA clearance before we confirm the involvement of Tom Nichols. Head Coach John Yems has not stressed any injuries within the squad, apart from the long-term injury suffered by Reece Grego-Cox last season at Exeter City.
VIEW FROM THE CAMP
HOW THEY BET*
Gillingham 8/13
Draw 5/2
Crawley 7/2
*Odds correct with EFL partners Sky Bet at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
COVERAGE
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