The Opponent: Crawley Town
Crawley's history can be traced as far back as the Stone (Neolithic) Age, from flint tools and burial mounds and later a Bronze Age sword found in the area. Iron-Age forts were established to extract ore in the areas now covered by Broadfield, Bewbush and Southgate and an Iron Age camp was once on the site of Goffs Park. These were expanded by the Romans who arrived at the start of the first century. Evidence of over 100 furnaces has been found in the area now covered by Broadfield. Crawley's name is derived from the Anglo Saxon crawe leah - a 'crow infested clearing'. The spelling changed during the Middle Ages - Crauleia (c1203), Crawele (c1250) and Croule (1279) - with the more familiar spelling Crawley appearing around 1316.
The discovery of Brighton by the Prince Regent made Crawley an ideal place to rest on the journey from London, and the town rapidly developed to cope with the demand. The arrival of the railway in the 1840s may have killed off the coaching trade, but it also made Crawley more accessible, and brought a surge in the population, including Mark Lemon, one of Crawley's better known commuters. In 1946, the New Towns Act was passed, and Crawley was one of eight towns selected to provide work and home away from the overcrowded capital. The new town would offer employment, decent housing, a green environment and an end to daily commuting. Today Crawley is more commonly known as Gatwick Village and even with a population of just over 106'000, both of their loyal supporters even drink in the same pub.
Last Time Out – Crawley Town 1 Ipswich Town 0 Att: 3,043 I’m not sure if Ipswich started with the strongest team possible, especially catching the name Nouble out of the corner of my eye starting up front for the Tractor Boys. It took a late extra time goal from one time Town target, Izale McLeod to separate the 2 sides on the night with Crawley advancing to round 2.
Starting XI - Jensen, Oyebanjo, Bradley, Smith, Walsh, Leacock, Bawling (Dickson), Henderson (O’Connor), McLeod, Young (Banya), Edwards.
They have served us both – Phil Smith, Kevin James, Luke Rooney, Leon Clarke, Gary Alexander, Nathan Byrne, Nicky Ajose, Jimmy Glass, Elliot Benyon.
One From The Past – Crawley Town 0 Swindon Town 3 – 13th September 2011. Att: 2’790 (659 away fans). With the long and illustrious history the baggage handlers have, I wasn’t really what you may called spoilt for choice. This was the first league meeting between the 2 clubs and one that still contributes toward the 100% league record we have against them (3 draws and 3 wins). The game was settled on the night with 2 late goals from Mehdi Kerrouche after the scoring was opened by Alan Connell in the 28th minute. After the match, manager PDC was seen speaking to his next signing, Leon Clarke. Not sure what happened there? On the bench for us that night was Honest Albert Comazzi, whom some supporters believed was actually going to be Canavarro when it was rumoured we were signing an experienced Italian defender.
The Odds – Crawley Town 11/8 Draw 12/5 Swindon Town 9/4. Not sure if I feel brave enough to back us to win a 2nd away game on the trot but the 9/4 on offer is fairly tempting. Louis Thompson is due a goal from midfield and is a decent 20/1 with Bet365. McLeod is favourite to open the scoring at 5/1.
The Son Says – My daughter was trying to convince him the game had draw written all over it but he stuck by his guns and remains positive with a 2-0 victory prediction
The Prediction – After another fantastic victory on Tuesday night I can see no reason why we can’t continue the 100% record, even if it is only 2 games old. The team are playing with an air of confidence, maturity and patience, and long may it continue. 3-0 Swindon, 1 for Michael Smith, Louis Thompson and an embarrassing McLeod own goal in front of 2’334 with 722 away followers.
And Finally – The Cure were formed in Crawley in 1976 by Robert Smith, Michael Dempsey and Laurence Tolhurst, all of whom attended St Wilfrid's RC School.
