SCENE SETTER
The Reds are back on home soil tonight as we take on Stevenage at The People’s Pension Stadium, who are the only side that we have not yet played so far this season in league competition.
FORM GUIDE
Tomorrow’s opposition have struggled once more in League Two this season, after finishing rock-bottom last time out, but avoiding relegation to the National League following the sad happenings at Macclesfield Town.
Stevenage sit in 21st position, after achieving 29 points in a total of 28 league games so far. The Boro are the third lowest scorers this season, ahead of Grimsby and Southend, scoring 22 times. However, Stevenage have conceded four less goals than Crawley, despite playing three extra games.
2021 has been a solid year for the Boro, who have made improvements since the early stages of the season, drawing three times, winning three times, and losing out on three occasions, in nine total league games since New Year’s Day. Before a disappointing 1-0 loss to Bolton on Saturday, Stevenage defeated high-flying Tranmere Rovers away from home, as Danny Newton scored late to pinch a 0-1 victory which lifted them further from relegation danger.
The Reds have recently struggled for results since our incredible unbeaten run, picking up one point from a possible nine in our last three. Two 3-1 losses to Cambridge United and Harrogate Town and a goalless draw with Leyton Orient were disappointing but the men in red will be determined to get back to winning ways later today, after showing promise in our second half performance against the Sulphurites, where a Tom Dallison goal kickstarted a brighter half after falling 0-3 down at the break.
THE HISTORY
Last season, goals from Bez Lubala and Ashley Nadesan saw the Reds defeat Stevenage 2-0 at The People’s Pension Stadium, after John Yems oversaw a goalless draw at the Lamex Stadium in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
However, Stevenage have a decent record in West Sussex, and last won in 2018 thanks to a late brace from Alex Revell, handing the Boro a 1-3 win. A Matt Godden brace also meant that tonight’s opposition also won in 2017, despite an early James Collins penalty.
THE OPPOSITION
Luke Norris is a name that many Reds fans will recognise after impressing against us for Colchester United on numerous occasions. The striker is now with the Boro and could be joined by Danny Newton and Elliott List in attack; some big names in League Two for such a disappointing goal tally so far this season.
Ex-Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale is another recognisable face in the Boro camp, after he moved from Championship side Wycombe Wanderers, in the January transfer window. The experienced 35-year-old goalkeeper will certainly test the shooting skills of the Crawley attackers tonight, having only conceded four times in his opening four games.
TEAM NEWS
Reece Grego-Cox and Henry Burnett remain unavailable for tomorrow’s game. Jordan Tunnicliffe is back in contention after training this week.
HOW THEY BET*
Crawley Town 11/8
Draw 11/5
Stevenage 19/10
*Odds correct with EFL partners Sky Bet at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
COVERAGE
You can watch the match live on iFollow from 14:50 with coverage from Gary Smith.
You can purchase a match pass for £10 by clicking here.
