Phil Yelland raids the archives to bring us details of our previous trips to Crawley ahead of this weekend's League Two fixture.
Saturday will see us make our fourth trip to The People’s Pension Stadium to take on Crawley Town, with all three previous visits taking place when the National League was Blue Square Premier.
Our first visit was back in October 2008 when we were hammered 4-0 - and it would have been worse but for a fine performance from goalkeeper Alan Martin, who was on loan from Leeds United.
We travelled back to Sussex exactly one year later with hope of a good result, rather than an expectation. We had won on the opening day of the season at Cambridge United but had failed to win on the road in six matches since. However, a fine defensive performance was topped off with a win thanks to a late penalty from Jason Walker, after home defender Karl Broadhurst had been sent-off for the foul that led to the penalty.
Our most recent visit to Crawley came at the end of February 2011. The Sussex club, under Steve Evans, was pressing for what was ultimately to be the title and promotion to the Football League, whilst we were battling to get away from the relegation zone. The game developed in to a five-goal thriller and Town included in their attack Richard Brodie – a popular player when on loan to us in 2008. Craig McAllister gave the home side an early lead, but Andy Cook produced the equaliser. Just before the half-hour, Clark Masters brought down McAllister and Brodie restored Town’s lead from the spot. However, three minutes before the interval Paul Rutherford produced an equaliser. We defended well in the second half but with four minutes remaining Pablo Mills headed home from close range to deny us a point. Crawley eventually took the title that year with 105 points, 15 clear of runners-up AFC Wimbledon, having lost just three games all season.
Hopefully, Saturday will see us win for the second time at the ground.