Exeter City will be looking to continue their good run when they visit Crawley Town on Tuesday night.
The Grecians came agonisingly close to all three points in a 0-0 draw at Grimsby Town last weekend, but had to settle for a point after Pierce Sweeney had a second half penalty saved.
Crawley come into the tie on the back of a 4-1 demolition of Newport County. Here’s all you need to know about the hosts…
- Founded: 1896
- Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
- Nickname: Red Devils
Despite being founded in 1896, the Red Devils have enjoyed the large portion of their success since the turn of the century.
The 2010/11 season represented their greatest success to date after winning the Conference and entering the Football League for the first time in the club’s lengthy history.
Crawley then went from good to great, as they finished third the following season and earned promotion to League One as a result. In the proceeding seven years, the Red Devils have been a mainstay in professional football.
The manager
Gabriele Cioffi
Crawley’s Italian manager applied his trade largely in the lower leagues in Italy, before sampling Serie A and B respectively with Torino, Ascoli and Mantova.
The domineering centre back’s first foray into management came with Italian side Gavorrano in 2013 and then enjoying a five year managerial hiatus, before taking the reigns of Crawley in September this year.
The ground
- Name: Broadfield Stadium
- Capacity: 6,134
- Year opened: 1997
- Address: Broadfield Stadium, Winfield Way, Broadfield, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9RX
Keeping in touch with the club’s recent success, the Broadfield Stadium has been home to Crawley just before the turn of the century in 1997.
Relatively small in capacity, the Red Devil’s record figures peaked at 5,880 in a FA Cup tie when they played Reading in 2013. The Broadfield Stadium also hosts Brighton & Hove Albion’s Women’s FC.
One to watch
Ashley Nathaniel-George
After joining in the summer from non-league side Hendon Town, Nathaniel-George has made a notable impression on the wing, scoring three goals.
Exeter will have to look out for the 23 year-old who has converted 33% of his shots on goal and averages a goal marginally above every other game.
Recent form guide
The Red Devils have been fairly inconsistent in recent weeks with three wins and two defeats, but have come straight off a 4-1 victory against Newport County and are just outside the play-off zone courtesy of goal difference.
However, Cioffi’s side have won their past five home games and are undefeated in six, making Tuesday’s game a tough match for the Grecians.
2017/18 season in review
- Position: League Two, 14th
- Average attendance: 2,268
- Top scorer: Enzio Boldewijn, Jimmy Smith – 10 goals overall
Crawley got off to the worst start imaginable, losing their opening three games and were firmly rooted to the foot of the table as a result.
With just seven wins before Christmas, the Red Devils loitered dangerously around the drop zone, but the new year coincided with a remarkable turn around. Eight wins from January to February followed as Crawley propped up to the table and settled for a midtable finish.
Recent meetings
Exeter City 2-2 Crawley Town (21/4/18 – League Two)
A defining moment in Exeter’s season saw them fail to capitalise on results going their way elsewhere. A win could have seen them rise into the top three with two matches remaining.
The Grecians drew 2-2 with Crawley when the sides last met
However, Jayden Stockley’s double proved insufficient for all three points as they were pinned back by a Josh Yorwerth second half leveller.
Crawley Town 3-1 Exeter City (21/11/17 – League Two)
The Grecians suffered a shock defeat at the Broadfield Stadium, as Josh Payne and a second half Jordan Roberts double gave the home side the win following Dean Moxey’s opener.
The defeat for the visitors saw them fall four points off the automatic promotion spots, as they remained fourth. Meanwhile, Crawley alleviated some relegation pressure as they rose to 17th.