Illness-ravaged City came up short against Hartlepool as two goals in quick next_up_crawley_featsuccession proved their undoing. There is little recovery time, however, as the games are coming thick and fast with the visit of another side that on paper City would fancy their chances against. Paul Tisdale will be hoping the treatment room is emptier by Wednesday with the likes of Ryan Harley, David Wheeler and Lee Holmes all missed. Liam McAlinden marked his first City start with a goal and he will hope to keep his place against a side where he spent some time on loan last season.

After a poor campaign on their return to League Two, the new owners at Crawley dispensed with the services of Mark Yates and replaced him with former Chelsea coach Dermot Drummy. There are plenty of new faces on show at Broadfield, perhaps the key being James Collins, who was prolific in League Two in helping Shrewsbury then Northampton gain promotion. It was Collins who scored Crawley’s goal on Saturday in their 1-1 draw at Doncaster to continue their unbeaten league start, although they came up short albeit with credit in a 2-1 reverse at Wolves in the EFL Cup. His new strike partner, Dutchman Enzo Boldewijn, is also off the mark with the goal against Wolves.

After two defeats to start the league season, if there was a “banker” for turning these fortunes around based on head-to-heads it would be this one, as City have never lost to Crawley. Last season City were pegged back twice in a 2-2 draw at the Park – City twice took the lead through the near namesakes Nicholls and Nichols, only for Bradley and a stoppage time goal from Rooney to deny City all three points. It was more straightforward on Easter Monday, however, with goals from Jake Taylor and Ollie Watkins giving City a 2-0 win that was as comfortable as the scoreline suggested. City’s league record against the Red Devils is 7 wins and 3 draws.

Current odds are: Exeter 4/5 for the win, 11/4 for the draw and 4-1 to lose to Crawley.

Match officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2016/08/15/match-officials-exeter-city-vs-crawley-town-2/

Last season’s home match against Crawley http://www.grecians.co.uk/wordpress/?sp_event=4096




By Hants

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