Tomorrow evening, Crewe Alexandra travels to Newport County for their final game of the year, the hosts’ squad containing former Alex striker Offrande Zanzala.
This Season:
This season sees the Exiles sitting in 17th place having beaten Doncaster Rovers, Forest Green Rovers twice, Sutton United, Colchester United, Gillingham, Stockport County and Morecambe, they have drawn with AFC Wimbledon, Barrow, Walsall, MK Dons and Grimsby Town while they have lost against Accrington Stanley, us, Crawley Town, Bradford City, Salford City, Harrogate Town, Swindon Town, Notts County, Mansfield Town, Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham.
They face Eastleigh in the FA Cup 3rd Round after defeating Oldham Athletic and Barnet (following a replay) in the previous rounds and lost against Brentford in the Carabao Cup 2nd Round after defeating Charlton Athletic previously. In the EFL Trophy, they finished 3rd in their group after a win against Cheltenham Town was followed by defeats against West Ham United’s Under-21s and Bristol Rovers.
Transfers:
Since the last meeting, defender Matt Baker and forward Olly Thomas joined the club on loan while goalkeeper Joe Day and defender Harrison Bright left the club on loan deals.
Head-to-Head:
Alex Wins: 14
Newport Wins: 15
Draws: 15
Biggest Alex Win: 4-0 at the Alexandra Stadium in April 1976
Biggest Newport Win: 7-1 at Rodney Parade in October 1962
Last Meeting
Crewe Alexandra 4-2 Newport County, 15th August 2023
Mickey Demetriou opened the scoring in the 8th minute against his former club before Will Evans equalised on 21 minutes. Demetriou would add his second in the 57th minute before a Chris Long penalty would extend the lead 9 minutes later. Elliott Nevitt (71) got his first goal for the Alex before Harry Charsley scored a consolation 4 minutes later.
Crewe: Davies; Offord, Demetriou, Williams; Cooney, Tabiner, Powell (O’Riordan 76), Adebisi; Tracey (Griffiths 90), Nevitt (Baker-Richardson 86), Long (Holicek 86)
Booked – n/a
Newport: Townsend; Delaney, Jameson (Seberry 43), Lewis; McLoughlin, Morris, Bennett (Wood 75), Charsley (Waite 75), Wildig; Palmer-Houlden (Bondswell 75), Evans
Booked – n/a
Played for Both:
The following players have been contracted to both teams:
Goalkeepers: Rhys Taylor
Defenders: Paul Bignot, Darren Carr, Mickey Demetriou, Billy Jones, Tom Thornton, Harry Worley
Midfielders: Terry Lees, Les Riggs
Forwards: Courtney Baker-Richardson, Dave Gwyther, Jack Holland, John Lythgoe, Nicky Maynard, Harry McKirdy, John Moore, Jamie Moralee, Dean Morgan, Billy Stark, Billy Waters, Offrande Zanzala
Officials:
The EFL have announced that Benjamin Speedie is tomorrow’s referee with Mark Derrien and Jack Clench assisting him and Grant Taylor the fourth official. The following Crewe games has been refereed by Speedie in the last 5 years:
- Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Lincoln City (27th October 2020)
- Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Doncaster Rovers (9th March 2021) – Mandron
- Leeds United 3-0 Crewe Alexandra (24th August 2021, Carabao Cup)
- Crewe Alexandra 0-2 Rotherham United (29th January 2022)
- Crewe Alexandra 4-3 Salford City (10th March 2023) – Agyei (2), Tabiner, O’Riordan
