Away Days: Crewe Alexandra vs Stevenage

2 September 2022

Steve Evans’ men go on their travels for the third consecutive fixture tomorrow for a 3pm kick off in Sky Bet League Two against Crewe Alexandra…

Despite picking up their first loss of the campaign last Saturday in Salford, Boro bounced-back on Tuesday with a 2-1 Papa John’s trophy victory over Sky Bet League One opposition, Peterborough United.

On Thursday, Steve Evans captured the signature of Charlton midfielder Alex Gilbey, who joins the tight-knit group on loan until the end of the season. Gilbey will no doubt boost the midfield options and is likely to make his first appearance in a Boro shirt this weekend.

After relegation from Sky Bet League One at the end of last season, Crewe Alexandra returned to Sky Bet League Two in hopes of going straight back up. So far, Alex Morris’ side have had a satisfactory return to the fourth tier, picking up three wins, two draws and a loss in their first six league games. The Railwaymen are unbeaten at home with their only loss in the league coming away to Salford, as they fell to a 3-0 defeat in Greater Manchester.

Crewe’s top scorer so far is Courtney Baker-Richardson with four to his name after seven games. Baker-Richardson is a new name at The Mornflake Stadium, having signed this summer from fellow League Two side Newport County. He recently scored a first-half brace against promotion hopefuls Northampton Town.

The Crewe gaffer, Alex Morris, was appointed as interim manager in April after the departure of former manager David Artell. Morris was then handed the permanent job just over two weeks later and now has aims to guide them back to Sky Bet League One. Morris is very familiar with his club, having represented the Railwaymen in his youth playing days before injury forced his early retirement.

Boro and The Alex have met on fourteen occasions in the past, in both Sky Bet League One and Two. Stevenage have won five contests, with Crewe winning six and the sides drawing three times. The first meeting between the sides was in September 2010 where one goal each was scored at The Lamex with Yemi Odubade getting on the scoresheet for Boro.

Stevenage’s highest-scoring victory over Crewe came in the 2013/14 season as a brace from Filipe Morais as well as a goal for Luke Freeman contributed to a 3-0 away victory in Sky Bet League One.

Boro have failed to get one over tomorrow’s opponents in the last six meetings with the most recent victory for Stevenage coming in February 2017 thanks to goals from Fraser Franks and Matt Godden.

The Mornflake stadium is home to Crewe Alexandra and has been since the club moved into the original stadium in 1897. The ground has since been demolished and refurbished but remains in the same spot, adjacent to the railway, hence the club’s nickname of ‘The Railwaymen’. The stadium holds a capacity of 10,153 with a record attendance of 20,000 being set in 1960.

Tom Nield has been appointed Match Referee for tomorrow’s fixture with Chris Isherwood and Blake Antrobus alongside Ross Joyce as Fourth Official. Nield’s most recent fixture was Tuesday’s Papa John’s Trophy fixture between Oxford United and Leyton Orient as the former came away with a 5-0 victory.

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Match tickets for Stevenage vs Sutton United start at £18 Adults, £15 Concessions, £10 Under 18s and £5 Under 12s.

Match Reports

Match Report: Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Stevenage

3 September 2022

Jamie Reid's second half brace awards Stevenage all three points in Crewe to get back to winning ways in Sky Bet League Two...

After victory on Tuesday in the Papa John’s Trophy, Stevenage returned to Sky Bet League Two action, looking to move on from the 1-0 defeat to Salford last weekend.

Steve Evans opted for his usual back three of Dan Sweeney, Terrence Vancooten and Carl Piergianni in front of Fulham loanee Taye Ashby-Hammond in goal. Luther Wildin and Saxon Earley occupied the wing-back roles either side a midfield three of Jake Reeves, Jake Taylor and debutant Alex Gilbey, who signed on deadline day. Jamie Reid and Luke Norris was the partnership in attack.

Neither side had much to get excited about in the opening ten minutes despite Stevenage having a lot of the ball. Crewe’s Tariq Uwakwe delivered a dangerous ball into the Boro box, but the ball was deflected over the bar and out for a corner.

Just under twenty minutes had been played and Crewe were awarded a penalty after Terence Vancooten’s misjudged challenge. Conor Thomas stepped up and was superbly denied by Taye Ashby-Hammond who flew down to his right to keep the score level.

Since the missed penalty, The Railwaymen continued to threaten and eventually found the back of the net. A pinpoint corner was sent into the area with Rodney McDonald rising highest and heading the ball past Ashby-Hammond to open the scoring for Crewe.

With five minutes to go until the break, Stevenage tried to claw back into the game. New signing, Alex Gilbey took aim from the edge of the area, but his deflected effort fell into the arms of Arthur Okonkwo. The remainder of the half was quiet as Stevenage went into half-time a goal down.

As the second half got underway, Boro immediately looked a better outfit as Evans’ men grabbed an equaliser. Luke Norris’ initial shot was parried out by Okonkwo and fell into the path of Jamie Reid who tapped home to level the scoring.

Crewe were affected by this equaliser and were determined to go back in front. ‘The Alex’ found themselves through on goal on a couple of occasions with Dan Sweeney and Saxon Earley both having to make last-ditch tackles.

After sixty-seven minutes, Boro miraculously took the lead. Saxon Earley’s cross into the box was fumbled by Arthur Okonkwo and once again into the path of Jamie Reid who slotted home to grab his fourth of the season.

Jordan Roberts, who was introduced in the second half in place of Alex Gilbey, looked a real threat and was causing the Crewe defence some problems. His cross fell to Luke Norris who attempted the volley but fired wide.

Tension was beginning to grow in the final ten minutes as Crewe were frustrated and Stevenage were looking to wind down the clock. Five minutes of additional time were held up by the fourth official.

Those five added minutes were extremely tense but Boro saw the game out to perfection as the referee blew his final whistle, concluding a superb win for Steve Evans’ side. Onto next Saturday as Stevenage welcome Sutton United to The Lamex.

Attendance: 3,669 with 167 supporters.

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Ticket News

Tickets & Travel: Crewe Alexandra

1 September 2022

Match tickets are available for Stevenage’s trip to the Mornflake Stadium in Sky Bet League Two...

Kicking off at 3pm on Saturday 3 September, Steve Evans men travel to Cheshire to take on Alex Morris' Crewe Alexandra.

Match tickets are available from www.borotickets.co.uk, the Stevenage FC Club Shop (open Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays 10am-5pm) and from the Away Ticket Office on the day of the game.

Disabled supporters are charged at the full price for their age category and are entitled to bring a carer free of charge.

Online ticket sales for delivery will come off sale at 11.59pm on Tuesday 30th August, but will still be able to collect or purchase from the Stevenage FC Club Shop until midday on Friday 2nd September.

Travel by Coach

The Stevenage FC Supporters Association coach will be departing The Lamex Stadium at 9.30am on the day of the game, so please ensure to arrive with time to spare in order to confirm a scheduled departure. Tickets cost £25 for SA members and £30 for non-members.

To book a seat, visit www.sfcsa.co.uk/home/travel and book online.

Travel by Train

Purchase your train ticket to Crewe at www.nationalrail.co.uk and keep up-to-date with latest travel info by following @nationalrailenq.

For more travel information to The Mornflake Stadium, click here.

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