Another midweek and another game as we see Crewe Alexandra host league-leaders Lincoln City at the Alexandra Stadium this evening, the second time that the Imps travel to South Cheshire this season following the Carabao Cup meeting at the start of the season.
This Season:
This season sees them start with 4 straight wins in the league against Oxford United, MK Dons, Charlton Athletic and Blackpool before a defeat to Bristol Rovers and a goalless draw at Fleetwood Town. They have beaten both Plymouth Argyle and Ipswich Town in the last week, keeping clean sheets in the process.
After knocking us out of the EFL Cup, they would also defeat Bradford City before going out to Liverpool in Round 3 while they have been drawn at home to Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup. In the EFL Trophy, they have beaten Scunthorpe United (on penalties) and Mansfield Town, qualifying for the knockout stages in the process, and will play Manchester City’s Under-21s to see who tops the group.
Transfers:
Since the last meeting, they have brought in 3 more loanees with midfielders Brennan Johnson and Robbie Gotts arriving on season-long loans from Nottingham Forest and Leeds United respectively with West Brom forward Jamie Soule on loan until January.
They have also let 4 players leave the club (including Ben Coker who was originally on loan at Stevenage before making the move permanent) while full-back Aaron Lewis was allowed to join Newport County on loan until January.
Head-to-Head:
Alex Wins: 34
Lincoln Wins: 40
Draws: 30
Biggest Alex Win: 8-1 at Gresty Road in December 1931
Biggest Lincoln Win: 11-1 at Sincil Bank in September 1951
Last Meeting:
Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Lincoln City, 5th September 2020 (Carabao Cup)
Tom Hopper gave the visitors the lead in the 52nd minute before Billy Sass-Davies scored his first senior goal 3 minutes later, the winner came midway through the half with Lewis Montsma getting it.
Alex: Richards; Ng (c), Lancashire, Sass-Davies, Pickering; Murphy, Wintle, Finney (Ainley 71); Dale, Mandron, Kirk
City: Palmer, Bradley, Eyoma, Montsma, Roughan, McGrandles, Edun (Morton 81), Jones, Scully (Howarth 90), Hopper. Grant
Played for Both:
The following players have been contracted to both teams:
Goalkeepers: Joe Anyon, Ross Etheridge, David Felgate, Don Footitt, Andy Gorton, Dean Greygoose, Bruce Grobbelaar, Jerry Lowery, Stuart Naylor, Tom Poskett
Defenders: Thierry Audel, Darren Carr, Mark Foran, Geoff Hudson, Mark McCarrick, Adie Moses, George Page, Alan Sheehan, Julian Watts, Ashley M Westwood
Midfielders: Clive Evans, Fred Eyre, James Jones, Aidan Murphy, Stefan Oakes, Michael O’Connor, David Ridings, James Stothert
Forwards: Horace Brindley, Wilf Edwards, Anthony Elding, Rod Fletcher, Fred Haycock, Merfyn Jones, Eric Littler, Jim Mackey, Allan Mansley, Vadaine Oliver, Greg Pearson, Robert Roberts
Officials:
The officials for this game have been announced here with Benjamin Speedie the referee, Alan Clayton and Joe Simpson are his assistants with Richard Bartlett the fourth official. This is the first time that Speedie has refereed the Alex as he is a first-year referee in the Football League.
