SCENE SETTER
The Reds are back on the road this afternoon, as we travel to Cambridge United who currently sit at the top of the League Two table, after our 0-1 victory at Bolton Wanderers in our last league game almost one month ago, where George Francomb was the scorer of the one all-important goal.
FORM GUIDE
Tomorrow’s opposition, Cambridge United, have risen back up to the top of the table, just like they were in the reverse fixture last year, when the Reds came from behind to beat the U’s 2-1, thanks to goals from Max Watters and Tom Nichols. Jake Hesketh was shown a late red but an energetic response to an early Joe Ironside goal and a resolute defensive display was enough for the Reds to take three points.
After ending a five-game long spell without a win in mid December, The U’s have shot back up the league table with eye-catching victories against the likes of Leyton Orient and Harrogate Town. An interesting stat that has surfaced is the fact that Cambridge United’s last six victories in League Two have finished with a 2-1 scoreline, as the Reds will look for goals on the road after putting the ball in the net against the likes of Forest Green and Bolton away from home.
Crawley now have three games in hand on league leaders Cambridge, and after not playing a league game for almost one month, now marks the perfect opportunity for the Reds to climb back up the table by claiming a result tomorrow afternoon.
THE HISTORY
Since 2014, the sides have met on eleven occasions, with Crawley winning five times. Before our victory in October 2020, we last played the U’s at The People’s Pension Stadium in October of 2018, where goals from Luke Gambin and Ollie Palmer were enough to secure a 2-0 victory. Last season, the Reds took a second-half lead at Abbey Stadium through Bez Lubala, but late goals from Sam Smith and Paul Lewis, both now of Tranmere Rovers, turned the game around for the U’s, achieving a 2-1 home victory.
THE OPPOSITION
Paul Mullin has enjoyed an incredible goalscoring season in League Two, netting 18 times in 25 league appearances, with a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Port Vale, and braces against Scunthorpe, Morecambe, Colchester and Newport County.
Mullin is often partnered with Joe Ironside, who also has nine goals and two assists. The striker scored the opening goal in our home fixture this season, before it was cancelled out by the dynamic duo of Max Watters and Tom Nichols. Recently, Ironside has scored in 2-1 victories over Southend United and Harrogate Town.
The U’s are captained by defender Greg Taylor, who has been a key contributor to the success of the club so far this season. His leadership along the backline alongside the likes of Robbie Cundy has meant that only 23 goals have been conceded, less than one per game.
TEAM NEWS
Reece Grego-Cox and Henry Burnett are unavailable. Jake Hesketh is a doubt. New signings James Tilley, Jordan Maguire-Drew and Davide Rodari could all feature.
HOW THEY BET*
Cambridge United 13/10
Draw 23/10
Crawley Town 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 2:55 with live coverage from Harry Maynard and our very own ‘Kiosk’ Ken Blackmore.
