Crawley Town Host Championship side Portsmouth in First Home Pre-Season Clash
Crawley Town face their toughest pre-season challenge yet this Saturday (18 July) as they welcome Championship side Portsmouth to the Broadfield Stadium.
Photo by CTFC
The Reds have been in impressive form so far this summer, netting 15 goals and conceding just twice across their three pre-season matches. Their only defeat came in Spain, where they fell 3–1 to Scottish Premiership side Hearts. Most recently, Crawley cruised to a 5–1 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge at Victoria Road, with a trialist grabbing a brace, and winger Harry Forster along with new signings Reece Brown and Harry McKirdy also finding the net.
Portsmouth have matched that positive start, winning both of their opening friendlies. They began with a 2–0 win over National League side Woking before hammering Farnborough 5–0 the very next day.
Head-to-Head
When it comes to head-to-head history, Portsmouth have dominated recent encounters, winning eight of the last eleven meetings between the two clubs across all competitions.
Crawley's sole victory in that stretch came back in December 2012, when goals from Nicky Adams and Billy Clarke secured a 2–1 win. The sides last met in August 2022 in the Football League Trophy, with a thrilling 2–2 draw.
Prior to that, Portsmouth enjoyed a five-match winning streak against Crawley, including three emphatic 3–0 wins in League Two. Overall, Pompey have scored 21 goals in those games while conceding only seven.
New Kits
Fans will get a first look at both clubs' new home kits on Saturday. Crawley's kit pays homage to one of the most iconic seasons in their history — the 2003/04 campaign, when the Red Devils were crowned Dr Martens League Premier Division champions. The design blends nostalgic elements with a modern fit, celebrating that landmark achievement.
Portsmouth's new Nike home shirt features a royal blue base adorned with a dotted wave pattern, accented by platinum and white trim, with crisp white logos that honor the club's classic colors.
Squad selection
Photo by CTFC
Crawley boss Scott Lindsey has relied on strong starting lineups throughout pre-season, limiting the use of trialists especially in the first halves, which has helped foster cohesion among the squad. Midfielders Jay Williams and Louie Watson both made their pre-season debuts against Dagenham & Redbridge as they continue their comeback from injury. Central midfielder Gavan Holohan has been a key presence, providing stability and experience, while the attack has prominently featured new recruits from this summer's transfer window as the team's fresh front line begins to take shape.
Adding further excitement for Reds fans, Saturday will mark the debut of Kyle Scott, the former Chelsea midfielder who signed a three-year deal after joining from USL Championship side Orange County SC. The 27-year-old moved to the United States in 2021 following a spell at Newcastle and brings international experience from his youth career representing England, the Republic of Ireland, and the USA.
On the Portsmouth side, manager John Mousinho has integrated promising academy prospects Fraser Thomas, Chinedu Agu, and Beau Mullins into the pre-season squad, with all three impressing in their early matches. New signing Adrian Segecic, who netted 13 goals for Sydney FC last season, has also shown glimpses of his talent when on the pitch. Another recent acquisition, John Swift, who joined Pompey after leaving West Brom at the close of the 2024/25 season, could make his first appearance against Crawley.
Meanwhile, winger Matt Ritchie is set to depart Portsmouth this summer after "amicable" talks with Mousinho. Ritchie rejoined Pompey last summer for a second spell after starting his career there and made 41 appearances last season, scoring five goals and bringing valuable experience with his 16 caps for Scotland.
With both sides in fine pre-season form and eager to impress, Saturday's clash at Broadfield Stadium promises an exciting test as Crawley aim to build momentum heading into the new campaign.