Match preview – Crawley Town v Lincoln City
City head south tomorrow (Saturday, November 30) and look to get back into winning ways as they take on Crawley Town at the Broadfield Stadium (3pm KO).
A spot in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup is at stake and both clubs have enjoyed memorable runs in the competition in the past.
In 2017 the Imps became the first non-league side in 103 years to reach the quarter finals competition, knocking out Ipswich Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley along the way, before eventually being eliminated by that year's winners, Arsenal.
It is now 13 years since Crawley's famous journey to the fifth round in the 2010-11 season, when they were narrowly beaten 1-0 at Old Trafford by Manchester United.
A year later, they were knocked out at the same stage by Stoke City, but since then, they have had mixed fortunes in the famous competition.
In more recent times, the closest they have come to matching those efforts was in the 2020-21 season, when they caused an upset against Leeds United in the third round, before being knocked out by Bournemouth in the following round.
City are currently sitting ninth in the league but have suffered a dip in results against strong opposition, while Crawley are 20th, but have enjoyed a run of better results in recent games and have already beaten Lincoln at Broadfield earlier in the season.
Below are the views head coach Michael Skubala and goalkeeper George Wickens ahead to of tomorrow’s encounter
Skubala’s thoughts: “We were frustrated on Tuesday night (0-1 defeat to Wrexham). When you go there and put in a good performance, which I think we did, we looked like we did lots of things well. We did well with the ball, created more than them but didn’t manage to score. We need to keep working on that and keep improving in all areas of our game.
“They’ve changed a little bit in the way they play because their new manager has come in and didn’t think they were getting success from the way they were playing before so they’ve adapted and become more direct as a team, so it’s a different game.
“We’d like to go there and get through into the next round so we have to do the best we can. It’s going to be tough because we’re on the road again but it’s winnable, although they’ll be looking at it the same way. We have to be on it and try to get through and win the game.”
Wickens agreed: “It’s a tough league. Every week confidence is growing and we are building better relationships with each other.
“We weren’t at it the last time we were at Crawley and I think everyone will admit that so we’ve definitely got some making up to do. Hopefully the fans that travel Saturday will have a better result to head home with.”
Off his time at City the goalie added: “I’m really enjoying it, I mentioned before, my main objective was to come somewhere to play and get a run of games to build my confidence. I’m building every week, so that’s good for me.”
Travelling City fans pictured at the Broadfield Stadium earlier in the season will be hoping for a better result tomorrow at Crawley Town. Picture: Vaughan Photography
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