Crawley Town v Plymouth Argyle match day thread

Crawley Town v Plymouth Argyle  

Man in the middle Peter Bankes  Games: 27 YELLOWS 103 REDS 2

Assisted  by Lloyd Wood and Ian Rathbone

Fourth Official Stephen Finch

Crawley Town news

Promotion-chasing Plymouth Argyle are our next visitors in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday, February 20, kick off 3pm.

The game will see the return of former Reds' captain Josh Simpson and Craig Brewster, our ex-caretaker manager who is now on the coaching staff at Home Park.

Tickets for the game are now on sale and with a big contingent of Argyle fans in town it would be great to see a good turnout of Reds' supporters for this vital game. avg home gate 2,000

Limited availability in hospitality for Saturday's game against Plymouth

Due to a late cancellation, we have seven spaces in the Mayo Wynne Baxter Suite available for Saturday's home game against high-flying Plymouth.

Home and away fans are welcome.

So if you want to enjoy our great matchday hospitality make sure you book now to avoid disappointment.

Your package also includes:

Your own dedicated seat in the Directors’ Box overlooking the halfway line

A three-course pre-match meal prepared by our fantastic new catering providers Strong Flavours

Complimentary match programme and team-sheets Half-time refreshments and hot drinks Use of a pay bar Sky Sports News for all the latest results and scores

To book a hospitality package for £60 (or a table of eight for £400) please call our Sales & Hospitality Manager Sonal Lukka on 01293 410004 or email [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]



Take over

The club can confirm that a deposit for the proposed sale of Crawley Town FC to a Turkish investor has been received by the club’s solicitor and an exchange of contracts is due to take place in the next 24 hours.  

Both parties are working towards completing the sale of the club by early next week, although this is subject to Football League approval of the takeover relating to the Owners and Directors test and the completion of all legal agreements.

An appeal has been lodged with FA over Simon Walton's dismissal against Accrington or wrongful dismissal

Update, midfielder Simon Walton has lost an appeal against his red card in the 4-1 defeat away to Accrington Stanley at the weekend.


Another man from the pass, John Gregory held his first fans' forum on Thursday night. Chief Executive Michael Dunford was also in attendance and a wide range of topics were covered.


ARGYLE NEWS

NO POTD

Tickets for Saturday's Sky Bet League 2 trip to Crawley will remain on sale at Home Park until close of business on Thursday, February 18.

There are currently ample tickets still available for the Green Army but, once these go, supporters will not be able to pay on the gate at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.

All away seating has been sold

The message from the club is: buy early to avoid potential disappointment.

With Josh Simpson back in training Argyle are nearly back to a fully fit squad to pick from

ARGYLE tickets up date for this game.

Green Army has brought  more than 1,200 tickets already for the Crawley Town trip, with less than 300 tickets remaining in the terrace at Broadfield Stadium you only have untill the ticket office closes tomorrow to buy your ticket.

JOSH Simpson has a chance of being fit to face his former club Crawley on Saturday, according to Derek Adams.

Pity Simon Waltons suspended, got to be one of the worst professinal footballers ever! a true Donkey amongst Donkeys.

Split loyalties for Smiffy on Saturday.

Crawley has had three previous meetings with Plymouth including a home win in 2011

Crawley will be protecting a 100% record in home games against Plymouth when promotion-chasing team visit the Checkatrade Stadium on Saturday.

Mind you, we are only talking about one previous home meeting between the clubs!

That took place in October 2011 when two goals from Matt Tubbs, one in each half, sealed a 2-0 win for Reds. Plymouth were bottom of League 2 at that stage of the season and their line-up included Simon Walton, now with Reds but unfortunately suspended for Saturday’s game.

The return match the following January at Home Park finished 1-1, Argyle equalising in the final minute after Pablo Mills had put Reds in front on the stroke of half-time.

Earlier this season a late goal from former Reds’ loanee Hiram Boateng sealed a 2-1 win for Argyle after Roarie Deacon’s 85th minute effort appeared to have earned Crawley a point

Going to be a hard game this time around.

Checkatrade stadium has a lovely ring to it, much better than these horrible old names that are worn out by centuries of use.

sufferedsince 68 wrote:

Pity Simon Waltons suspended, got to be one of the worst professinal footballers ever! a true Donkey amongst Donkeys.

Ladje Soukouna was pretty terrible amongst some right dross at that time.

Tickets for our Sky Bet League 2 away trip to Crawley Town on Saturday, February 20 are still available to buy at Home Park until 5pm on THURSDAY evening.

Crawley have now agreed to sell tickets from their box office on Friday, until 4.30pm.

A reminder that tickets for the away end will NOT be available to purchase on the gate on Saturday.

Crawley looking ahead to Saturday's big game

Reds are back at the Checkatrade.com Stadium on Saturday to face high-flying Plymouth Argyle in Sky Bet League 2, kick off 3pm.

TEAM NEWS

Joe McNerney (knee) and Jimmy Smith (foot) are both missing for Reds while ex-Argyle captain Simon Walton starts a three-match suspension.

Plymouth have no new injury worries and ex-Reds' skipper Josh Simpson is hoping to be involved having been out for a month with injury.


THE FORM GUIDE                

Reds have won five of their last 14, losing the other nine. Crawley have only drawn one game since August 29.

Plymouth have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six, beating Mansfield 3-0 last time out on February 13. Their away record is excellent with just two defeats in the league on the road, the last at Oxford in October.


VIEW FROM THE BOSS

"It's a match I'm really looking forward to. This is what you enjoy - pitting your wits against one of the best teams in the division in front of your own supporters. We know how difficult it's going to be and my players will have to rise to the challenge. We've had a couple of blips recently but our home form has been pretty solid and the players can't wait for this game.

Former Plymouth Argyle loan signing Ross Jenkins leaves Crawley with immediate effect for a Romanian club

It means the 25-year-old will not be involved in Crawley's squad for their home game against the Pilgrims.

His contract with the Sussex club, which was set to expire this summer, has been cancelled.

Jenkins will now sign a deal with Romanian top flight outfit ACS Poli Timisoara until the end of the 2016/17 season.

Amsterdamage wrote:

Checkatrade stadium has a lovely ring to it, much better than these horrible old names that are worn out by centuries of use.

My old pal is a lifelong Dumbarton supporter, I revel in asking how things are going at "The Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium"

Tgwu wrote:

Former Plymouth Argyle loan signing Ross Jenkins leaves Crawley with immediate effect for a Romanian club

It means the 25-year-old will not be involved in Crawley's squad for their home game against the Pilgrims.

His contract with the Sussex club, which was set to expire this summer, has been cancelled.

Jenkins will now sign a deal with Romanian top flight outfit ACS Poli Timisoara until the end of the 2016/17 season.

i wonder if he'll only play in away games for them too

Crawley have today signed Brighton & Hove Albion under-21 defender Tom Dallison on a 30-day emergency loan.

The former Arsenal centre back, who joined the Seagulls back in 2013, has been a regular in Brighton’s under-21 team this season and had had loan spells in the National Conference with Dartford, for whom he appeared 12 times last season, and Braintree Town, where he had four games at the start of the current campaign.

The 20-year-old is yet to make a competitive first-team appearance for Brighton, although he did feature in their pre-season games against Lewes, Aberdeen, Gillingham and the Reds.

Manager Mark Yates said: “I’ve seen Tom a few times and been impressed. I think he’s got all the attributes to be a good central defender and this is the next step up for him having had a taste of senior football in the National League.

“I’d like to thank Chris Hughton and (Brighton U-21 manager) Simon Rusk for agreeing to let us have him."

Tom has been given squad no.3 and he is available for selection for tomorrow's game against Plymouth Argyle.


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Another new player to join Crawley today.

Midfielder Andy joins Reds until the end of the season

Crawley are delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Andy Bond, who has signed a contract until the end of the season, subject to Football League approval.

The 29-year-old has a wealth of experience having started his career at Crewe.

After a loan spell with Lancaster City he joined Colchester United in 2010 and made 118 appearances for the U’s and also had short loan spells with Crewe and Bristol Rovers.

After a short spell with National League outfit Chester City Andy joined Stevenage last season and helped them reach the League Two play-offs.

After he was released by Stevenage Andy linked up with National League North side Chorley and has been played for them this season.

Manager Mark Yates said: “We nearly signed Andy in January but it didn’t happen for one reason or another but we’re delighted to get him in now. He’s an experienced player, good with the ball,
athletic and can pick a pass. We’ve signed him until the end of the season and he is going to be a good addition to our squad.”

Andy has been given squad no.22.

Crawley Town is sending out an open invitation to all 15-17 year olds to attend our National Citizen Service (NCS) Day, on Saturday those who attends wiil be given free admission to the Plymouth game.

For the Newport game ever ST holders will be given two free tickets

Quote

Our loyal season ticket holders can bring two guests for FREE to the home match against Newport County in Sky Bet League Two on Tuesday, March 1, kick off 7.45pm.

XThrobbers going, he started the Farms Matchday Thread just to prove it!

Over land and sea, he's always in the trenches.

Les Miserable wrote:

Over land and sea, he's always in the trenches.

Yep,if the land and sea is in Sussex Jimmy's Wingman will be there.

With 4 other promotion contenders playing each other today the outcome of this is massive. I fancy us, Come on bheys.

At the stewards' briefing they were told that 1,600 Argyle fans are expected for this afternoon game.

Same starting 11 as last week, makes sense.

sufferedsince 68 wrote:

Les Miserable wrote:

Over land and sea, he's always in the trenches.

Yep,if the land and sea is in Sussex Jimmy's Wingman will be there.

The blokes a diehard......

This starts a run of 4 very winnable games against teams in the bottom half before a Oxford/Accy double-header. 9/10 points from these 4 will give us a nice buffer for the run-in.

Elias wrote:

sufferedsince 68 wrote:

Les Miserable wrote:

Over land and sea, he's always in the trenches.

Yep,if the land and sea is in Sussex Jimmy's Wingman will be there.

The blokes a diehard......

My hero

On top but firing blanks so far.