Big Match Preview: Crawley v Stevenage

10 August 2018

Everything you need to konw ahead of Saturday's game...

Tickets...

Tickets are available for Stevenage supporters from Broadfield Stadium tomorrow. Click here for the full ticket details and prices.

Travel...

Need a lift to the game? The Supporters Association Coach leaves the Lamex Stadium at 11:30am and costs £20 for SA members, £25 for non-members.

Either call John Carroll on 01438 814285 after 6pm or visit sfcsa.co.uk/home/travel to book your coach travel.

Onto the game…

Despite giving up a two goal lead against Tranmere last Saturday, the Stevenage players and staff remain buoyant ahead of this weekend’s clash with a point on the board after the opening game of the season.

With 45 games left in the campaign, there is little point in dwelling on a draw which saw nine new players involved along with four EFL debutants.

It is clear that it will take time before Maamria’s side click into full gear. With so many changes over the summer, that is inevitable. However, throughout pre-season and including last Saturday, there is certainly plenty to be optimistic about in terms of how the team have performed.

One thing is for sure, the Stevenage supporters who follow the team all over the country will certainly hope to see an improved road record this season after the club only won five games away from home all of last season.

Crawley Town have had an interesting summer which saw them lose some key men such as Josh Yorweth and Enzio Boldewijn, however, high profile recruits such as former Stevenage man Filipe Morais, former Don George Francomb, former Imp Ollie Palmer and former Bantam Romain Vincelot will go a long way in helping make up for any losses.

Indeed, it was Ollie Palmer who scored the crucial goal in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Cheltenham which means the Red Devils will be returning for their first home game of the season in a jubilant mood.

Officials...

Referee: Craig Hicks

Assistant Referee 1: Rob Smith

Assistant Referee 2: Nicholas Cooper

Fourth Official: Daniel Cook

View from the camp...

Stevenage boss, Dino Maamria:

“I want everything and I want everything now. We have just got to be realistic about it - it is going to take a little longer than I thought but the lads attitudes are fantastic.

“We have only been here six or seven weeks together and we are competing against teams that have been together two or three years.

“Having said that, we keep improving every day and this week has been a fantastic week on the training ground and I am looking forward to Saturday.”

Crawley boss, Harry Kewell:

“Stevenage are a bit like us. They have changed quite a few players in the summer and sometimes it takes a bit of time to settle a new squad down. But they’ve got good League 2 experience in there and they will work extremely hard.

“It’s up to us to match that work-rate and to impose ourselves as the home side.”

Previous meetings...

Stevenage and Crawley are no strangers to each other having played 25 competitive games against each other, 24 of those since 2004.

For many years the two clubs battled it out in the Conference but for the past 6 years, both have established themselves as EFL sides where the most recent encounters have taken place.

Stevenage lead the way with 12 wins to 9, along with 4 draws. It has been three games since Boro last beat the Red Devils though, a memorable last-minute 2-1 win at the Broadfield Stadium in February 2017.

Betting...

Our partners, Sky Bet have Stevenage down as 2/1 underdogs tomorrow so plenty of value in an away win even for the most pessimistic of supporters! Read the full weekend betting preview here.

Stevenage have also been price boosted so if both teams score and Maamria's men come away with all three points, you will now receive odds of 11/2 rather than 9/2. Use our designated link & don't forget to select Stevenage FC as your favourite club.

Online coverage...

Live match commentary will be available for iFollow subscribers so make sure you sign up to listen to every game. If you are based outside of the UK & Ireland, you can stream the game LIVE!

Make sure you are following our Twitter account throughout the day as we bring you the very latest from Broadfield Stadium.

iFollow subscribers will also be able to access full match highlights along with all the post-match reaction on Sunday.

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Match Reports

REPORT: Revell double earns Boro first three points of season

11 August 2018

First three points for Dino and the lads...

Two late goals from Alex Revell gave Stevenage their first three points of the season away at Crawley Town.

After a goalless first half, the second half exploded into life with goals from Alex Reid and Crawley’s Ollie Palmer, before Revell put the game to bed in the final embers.

Dino Maamria named three changes to the team that drew with Tranmere a week ago, with first starts of the season for Ronnie Henry and Danny Newton, while Kurtis Guthrie made his debut for Stevenage.

The first shot of the game came on the quarter hour mark. Debutant Kurtis Guthrie, who had seen plenty of the ball, picked it up just outside the box before dragging his shot wide of the left-hand post.

The hosts then looked to go ahead from a corner, ex-Boro player Filipe Morais’ cross was met by George Francomb, whose header floated over the bar. The game was end-to-end, and both teams looked like scoring.

Guthrie looked to be our danger man, picking the ball up from deep and driving forward. This time his shot went straight down the middle towards the Crawley ‘keeper, but he could sense a goal for himself in this game.

Ten minutes before the break, Danny Newton was forced off through injury, and replaced by Alex Reid.

The visitors were creating the most chances in the first half. Revell was a constant nuisance down the right flank, bolstering his way past defenders to create chances. His cross was met by James Ball at the back post, whose header fell just wide of the far post.

After a well fought first half, the teams went in level at the break.

Almost immediately after the teams came out for the second half, Boro were in front. Great combination play from Wildin and Revell down the right set up a cross for Alex Reid, who placed his header perfectly into the top corner. Stevenage had the all-important first goal.

The hosts then levelled instantly. Filipe Morais’ cross was met by Ollie Palmer at the back post, and the ex-Lincoln City forward made no mistake planting the ball into the back of the net.

Boro then had an opportunity to regain their lead. Brilliant hold up play from Alex Revell on the half way line allowed Alex Reid to get in behind the Crawley back four after the ball was played to him. The new forward cut inside onto his left foot, before curling his effort just wide of the far post.

With 10 minutes until full-time, the gaffer swapped Kurtis Guthrie for Emmanuel Sonupe, and the winger nearly made an instant impact. Within seconds of entering the pitch, the ball fell to Sonupe on the penalty spot, but last ditch defending on the line denied Boro taking the lead once more. It was all to play for here at Broadfield Stadium.

Stevenage left it late, but finally regained the lead on 88 minutes. Alex Revell, who had worked unbelievably hard all game, rose the highest to meet a cross from out wide, and powered into the back of the net. The goal sent the away fans behind the goal into absolute raptures

Added time and Crawley were committing bodies forward. This only came to their demise and Stevenage doubled their lead. James Ferry picked the ball up in the middle of the park, and with a sublime pass, sent Alex Revell through on goal. The forward made no mistake and Boro had the win.

Three goals, three points. A perfect away day for Stevenage.

Don't forget, Boro take on Morecambe at the Lamex Stadium next Saturday. Come and join us as we look to make it two wins from two...

Ticket News

Maamria: "Nothing will surprise us"

9 August 2018

Apologies, this video is unvailable.

Video & Quotes from the boss ahead of Saturday's game at Crawley...

Maamria on last Saturday’s season opener…

“It was a fair point for both teams and it was a difficult game as you expect against a good side. We know we have loads to improve on and it wasn’t a surprise in terms of having nine debutants on the same day and four EFL league debuts, so it was a lot in one day.

“The best thing about Saturday I think was that we scored two great goals and the atmosphere around the ground was fantastic.

“Our fans backed us from minute one to the last, even when our backs were against the walls with ten men after the sending off.

“We will move on from that, it is a new week and we will definitely improve this weekend.”

Maamria on bedding in so many changes…

“I want everything and I want everything now. We have just got to be realistic about it - it is going to take a little longer than I thought but the lads attitudes are fantastic.

“We have only been here six or seven weeks together and we are competing against teams that have been together two or three years.

“Having said that, we keep improving every day and this week has been a fantastic week on the training ground and I am looking forward to Saturday.

“I know the team we will be playing against. We know what Crawley are like and nothing will surprise us coming to Crawley, we just need to focus on ourselves and make sure that we are ready to produce what we do day-in-and-day-out in training.”

Maamria on Danny Newton and Ben Kennedy being away as their partners give birth…

“It is very unusual to happen in the same week! Danny Newton’s partner has had her baby now, a baby boy and we are all pleased for them. Hopefully he will be back with us tomorrow but obviously we don’t want to put any pressure on him to be a part of the game.

“We allowed Ben last night to go to Northern Ireland and he might be a day, two days, a week, two weeks, it is out of my hands and we have to wait and see.

“I am a family man myself and I totally understand it. Family comes before everything. Also, for them to produce their best I have to allow them their family time, it is important for them.

“I want them to be settled, I want them to be happy and having kids is the best experience in the world and I certainly don’t want to deny them that.”

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Standings

Big Match Preview: Crawley v Stevenage

REPORT: Revell double earns Boro first three points of season

Maamria: "Nothing will surprise us"

Support Stevenage in Crawley on Saturday