This evening sees the second group game in the EFL Trophy as the Alex travel to Mansfield Town with both teams looking to get themselves their first win in the competition of the season after the Alex lost against Burton Albion with the Stags losing on penalties to Everton’s Under-21 side.
So far this season, they have beaten Carlisle United, Scunthorpe United and Grimsby Town, they’ve drawn with Newport County, Morecambe, Stevenage and Port Vale while they have lost to Leyton Orient, Exeter City, Crawley Town, Cambridge United and Plymouth Argyle as they sit in 19th in League 2. The Stags lost in the first round of the EFL Cup as they went out on penalties at home to Morecambe.
Over the summer, Mansfield have signed 8 players over the summer, 6 of which are permanent signings, a season-long loan and a loan until January while letting 12 leave the club. Joining the club are goalkeeper Aiden Stone, defenders James Clarke and Conor Shaughnessy (season-long loan), midfielders Dion Donohue and Kellan Gordon as well as forwards Andy Cook, Oladapo Afolayan and Alex Academy Alum Nicky Maynard.
Looking back in the archives, the two teams have met 80 times with Crewe leading the head-to-head with 32 wins to 30 with 18 draws. Crewe’s biggest win came in a 7-0 victory at the Alexandra Stadium in February 1933 while Mansfield’s biggest win came at the Field Mill on Xmas Day 1953 with a 6-0 win. Last season’s games saw the away team win the games with Mansfield winning 3-0 in South Cheshire while Crewe won in Nottinghamshire.
Who are the officials for the game?
The officials for this game see James Oldham as the man in the middle with Wayne Grunnill and Gareth Mellor his assistants and Paul Hobday as the fourth official. This is the first time that Oldham has refereed Crewe as this is his first season as a Football League referee.
