Preview: Crawley Town (A)

15 September 2017

Notts County travel to Crawley Town this weekend looking to move top of the Sky Bet League Two table.

The Magpies are unbeaten in seven games and have won their last three league outings without conceding a goal, sitting three points adrift of table-topping Exeter City.

Crawley had a rocky start to the season under rookie head coach Harry Kewell but the former Liverpool winger has seen his side's fortunes improve of late, losing just one of their last four.

The Red Devils are 18th in the table but, after picking up their first home win of the season against Yeovil Town last time out, they will hope to push themselves further clear of the relegation zone.

Notts manager Kevin Nolan says...

"They are a good side with plenty of threats but also some weaknesses which I think we can exploit.

"We'll be going there to win the game and hopefully continue the good run we're on."

Click here for more from the manager.

Crawley head coach Harry Kewell says...

"Notts County is going to be tough - they're on a good run. Kevin Nolan has his team working and they've got good experience.

"It'll be nice to face Kevin. We've both taken similar jobs and both want the same things.

"I'll be looking forward to welcoming him. Instead of tackling each other we'll probably be arguing for 90 minutes!"

Team news

Striker Shola Ameobi is likely to miss out with a hamstring injury but Nolan has no other injury worries as he makes the long trip south.

The manager made five changes for the 1-0 win over Swindon in midweek and some impressive performances by those who stepped in will have given him a selection headache ahead of the trip to the Checkatrade.com Stadium.

Dangerman

Jordan Roberts is Crawley's top goalscorer so far this season with three goals, including a match-winning brace in the recent 2-0 win against Yeovil Town.

The midfielder has missed the last few games through injury but is available for selection this weekend.

The former Inverness man scored four times last season and is already close to matching that tally within six weeks of the season starting.

We've met before...

Crawley has been a happy hunting ground for Notts in recent years, the Magpies winning all four games between the sides since being relegated to League Two - including their last two visits to West Sussex.

An own goal by James Collins, a penalty from Jon Stead and a strike from Adam Campbell saw the Magpies rally from a goal behind to win 3-1 on their last visit.

The season prior, Filip Valencic's stunning volley ensured victory in Jamie Fullarton's first match in charge of County.

What are the odds?

Sky Bet have priced Notts up as 23/20 favourites for victory on Saturday afternoon, while Crawley are 12/5 to end County's unbeaten streak. The draw is available at 23/10.

A repeat 3-1 scoreline from Notts' last win at the Checkatrade.com Stadium is 16/1, with another 1-0 win at 7/1 or a 2-0 win at 9/1.

Fancy Notts to win and keep another clean sheet? You can get 3/1 on Nolan's men winning the game to-nil and the same price for both teams scoring with the three points coming back to Nottingham.

Jonathan Forte could be in line for another start with Shola Ameobi still sidelined by a hamstring problem. The forward is 5/1 to open the scoring this weekend.

Carl Dickinson came close to scoring against Swindon in midweek, hitting the post with a free-kick. Could his first Notts goal arrive on Saturday? The full back is 22/1 to be the first name on the scoresheet.

You can bet on the game here.

Supporters who sign up to Sky Bet using this link can help the club financially.

Match Reports

Report: Crawley 0-1 Notts

Grant wins it for Notts

16 September 2017

Notts County made it four successive wins and clean sheets with a 1-0 victory at Crawley Town.

Jorge Grant's second-half finish - his fifth goal of the season - was enough to send the Magpies home from West Sussex with all three points as they stayed second in the Sky Bet League Two table.

Kevin Nolan made two changes to the side that beat Swindon Town in midweek.

Dan Jones replaced Carl Dickinson at left back, while Lewis Alessandra was given the nod down the left, coming in for Terry Hawkridge.

The first shot of the game went to the visitors, Jon Stead curling the ball straight at Crawley keeper Glenn Morris with two minutes on the clock.

Shaun Brisley deflected Enzio Boldewijn's effort wide and Alessandra nodded the ball past the post after latching on to Jon Stead's cross as both sides searched for the opening goal.

Jimmy Smith was off-target with a header of his own before Boldewijn fired over and wide with two shots in the space of four minutes.

Crawley were marginally in the ascendancy and saw further unsuccessful efforts from Dannie Bulman and Smith before Grant's sliced clearance dropped into the grateful grasp of Adam Collin following Boldewijn's dangerous low cross.

But it was Notts who claimed the best chance of the half, shortly after one minute of added time was indicated. Dan Jones whipped a dangerous free-kick into the middle and the ball fell for Alessandra, who saw his goalbound volley deflected back to him in space 10 yards out. The former Hartlepool man could only fire it wide, leaving the scores level at the break.

Nolan was forced to make his first change on 53 minutes when Brisley limped off and was replaced by Elliott Hewitt at centre back.

That disruption didn't affect Notts, however, as they took the lead two minutes later.

Jones looped the ball into the channel and Forte capitalised on Josh Yorwerth's slip to race into the area. The forward fired the ball low across goal and Grant was on hand to tap the ball home, despite the desperate efforts of Morris in the home goal.

Notts, now with a lead to defend, continued to keep the home side quiet and nearly had a second with 12 minutes to play when Tootle's low, drilled effort was well held by Morris.

Nolan's second change came with five minutes to play when Hawkridge replaced Alessandra.

The home side's mounting frustration was compounded when Forte delayed the taking of a free-kick as injury time loomed, entering the referee's notebook for his troubles.

Three added minutes were indicated when the clock hit 90 and Notts had a big chance to kill the game off when they broke from a Crawley corner. With the home keeper caught in no man's land, Hawkridge played the ball to Forte who had the chance to shoot towards an empty net from 40 yards. The forward instead decided to take on his man and the ball got caught under his feet, allowing the hosts to alleviate the danger.

That was to be Forte's final action of note as he made way for Alan Smith in the dying embers of stoppage time.

And Notts saw out the remaining seconds to secure another solid victory.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Tickets: Crawley Town (A)

14 September 2017

Tickets for Notts County's Sky Bet League Two trip to Crawley Town on Saturday 16 September (3pm) will remain on sale at Meadow Lane until 4pm on Friday.

After this time, remaining tickets will be returned to Crawley to be sold on the day at no price increase.

Cash and card payments will be available from the Crawley ticket office. Notts supporters can also buy from the cash-only ticket cabin.

Notts have received an initial allocation of 200 reserved, covered seat tickets located behind the goal in the Checkatrade Stand. 200 terrace tickets are also available behind the goal in the KR-L Stand.

Prices are as follows:

Seating

Adult: £20

65 and over: £15

Under 21: £13

Under 18: £10

Under 16: £4

Under 11: £1

One adult, one under 16: £17

Two adults, two under 16s: £34

Terrace

Adult: £16

65 and over: £12

Under 21: £11

Under 18: £10

Under 16: £4

Under 11: £1

One adult, one under 16: £15

Two adults, two under 16s: £30

Tickets can be purchased in person at the ticket office or by calling 0115 955 7210. Tickets for away fixtures are not currently available online.

It's essential supporters provide their customer number/postcode when purchasing away tickets.

Information from the SLO team

Notts’ Supporter Liaison team have obtained the following information from Crawley Town for Notts supporters making the journey to West Sussex.

Please click here to view information including parking, ticket collections and arriving via public transport.

Please click here to view information regarding local amenities including pubs for away supporters and information regarding purchasing food, drink and programmes at the stadium.

Official away travel

Away travel will depart from near the club shop on Meadow Lane at 10am.

Prices are as follows:

General adult/senior: £27

General under 18: £15

Season ticket holders/Lifeline members/NCFCOSA members: £26

Season ticket holder under 18: £14

Disabled supporters

In line with Crawley Town's policy, tickets for supporters with a disability and their personal assistants are available to those who receive the middle or higher rate of Living Allowance or equivalent.

Ambulant disabled supporters should obtain tickets in advance from Notts County. They are priced at the appropriate age-related rate for the disabled supporter with a personal assistant ticket issued free of charge. Ambulant disabled supporters will be allocated tickets from the main allocation.

Wheelchair disabled supporters are required to purchase tickets in advance from Crawley Town by calling 01293 410 000.

Notts County Football Club

Standings

Preview: Crawley Town (A)

Report: Crawley 0-1 Notts

Tickets: Crawley Town (A)