Match Zone

Match Preview – Stevenage (H)

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This afternoon sees the final game of 2018 as we host Stevenage at the Alexandra Stadium, buoyed by Wednesday afternoon’s victory over league leaders Lincoln City.

So far this season they have 10 victories, 5 draws and 9 losses in the league as the Boro sit in 10th place. They have beaten Crawley Town, Morecambe, Macclesfield Town, Grimsby Town, Carlisle United, Colchester United twice, Cheltenham Town, Oldham Athletic and MK Dons, the draws came against Tranmere Rovers, Forest Green Rovers, Notts County, Port Vale and Northampton Town, while they have lost to Yeovil Town, Cambridge United, Exeter City, Newport County, us, Bury, Swindon Town, Lincoln City and Mansfield Town.

In cup competitions, they lost 3-1 to Norwich City in the EFL Cup while they lost by a single goal to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup. The EFL Trophy saw them finish 3rd in their group after beating Swansea City’s Under-21 team 5-0 but lost to both Charlton Athletic and AFC Wimbledon in the other fixtures.

Looking back in the archives, the two teams have met 11 times with Stevenage leading the head-to-head with 5 wins to 3 with 3 draws. Crewe’s biggest win came in a 2-1 victory at the Broadhall Way in August 2016 while Stevenage’s biggest win came at Gresty Road in October 2013 where they won 3-0. Last season Crewe won the fixture at the Alexandra Stadium whilst last season’s corresponding fixture ended 2-2.

Who are the officials for the game?

The officials for this game see Anthony Backhouse as the man in the middle where he is assisted by Barry Cropp and Ken Haycock with Matt Corlett being the fourth official. During the last 5 seasons the following Crewe games have been refereed by Backhouse:

  • Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Barnet (19th August 2017) – Porter
  • Crewe Alexandra 0-2 Accrington Stanley (21st October 2017)
  • Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Blackburn Rovers (13th December 2017, FA Cup)
  • Crewe Alexandra 3-1 Forest Green Rovers (20th March 2018) – Bowery (2), Kirk

I asked Stevenage supporter Aidan Cheevers for his thoughts going into the game.

How do feel that your season has gone since we last played?

Our season has been up and down. We’ve picked up some great wins against teams such as MK Dons and Colchester, but at the same time, we’ve been poor in other games.

What do you think the team will be for today’s game?

I think the team will be unchanged from Boxing Day: Farman, Vancooten, Cuthbert, Nugent, Seddon, Kennedy, Byrom, Iontton, Campbell-Ryce, Guthrie, Newton

Is Sonupe the danger man for this game or is there someone else that we should look out for?

Sonupe hasn’t really featured for us recently, so for that reason, I’d say the danger man for us is Newton.

Any changes in where you will finish (previously said that you would take a top 10 finish) and who will be promoted and relegated?

I think we’re still going to finish in the top 10.
As far as promotion and relegation are concerned, I’d say Lincoln, MK Dons and Bury to get promoted with Mansfield to win the playoffs.
Yeovil and either Cambridge or Macclesfield to go down.

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