The relative easing of the fixture list saw City record a second straight win against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day, with the depleted defence drawing special praise from Gary Caldwell, although the match was also notable for a first league goal for teenager Jake Richards as well as a man of the match performance from the only defender left standing, Jack Fitzwater. Youngster Ed James has been recalled from his loan spell at Yeovil, but this is because he too is injured, so Caldwell is likely to keep to the same makeshift back three as that which started against Bristol Rovers. Elsewhere one of Richards or Kamari Doyle may come in for Kevin McDonald, while Caldwell may need to make a decision about the fitness of Demetri Mitchell.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in League Two last season was Crawley’s promotion via the playoffs. Having then lost a number of their key personnel, especially Danilo Orsi to Burton, the Red Devils were immediately installed as firm favourites to return to the fourth tier – a prediction only added to when manager Scott Lindsay jumped ship early in the season to take over at MK Dons, the side thrashed by Crawley in the semi finals of the playoffs. Rob Elliot, signed from Gateshead, has been doing a decent job in trying circumstances, with Crawley currently in the final relegation place and having suffered three successive defeats. Although goals don’t appear to be too much of a problem, the lack of a regular scorer may be, with two players (Junior Quitirna and Will Swan) netting four league goals apiece.
The sides did actually meet last season in the EFL Cup first round, City coming from behind to win 2-1 on their way to the fourth round. The last league meetings between the sides came during City’s 21/22 promotion season, and it was City coming away with maximum points. The corresponding fixture saw City go 2-0 up through a Tim Dieng brace before Kwesi Appiah pulled one back on the stroke of half time before a goalless second half resulted in a 2-1 win. There was a hint of controversy about City’s 3-1 win at Broadfield earlier in the season – Appiah gave Crawley the lead in the first half, but Ashley Nadesan’s attempt to con the referee into awarding a penalty in first half added time resulted instead in a second yellow card. City took full advantage with Matt Jay’s goal of the season winner pulling the sides level before Nigel Atangana immediately put City ahead, a late Sam Nombe strike sealing a 3-1 win. Those victories extended City’s league head to head lead to 12-4, with six draws.
The match officials for this game will be:-
Referee: Matthew Russell
Assistant Referees: Adam Ricketts and Declan O’Shea
Fourth Official : Ross Martin
The Hampshire based referee mainly takes charge of EFL Trophy games and National League games. He last took charge of Exeter in an EFL Trophy game in October away at Bristol Rovers which City won 3-2.
Interview with Kevin Nicholson
Interview with Caleb Watts
