Crawley vs Barrow: Points Vital at Broadfield in League Two Clash

Crawley Town and Barrow meet at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday in a clash between two sides hovering near the bottom of League Two.

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The Reds sit 21st, three points clear of the relegation zone, while Barrow are two places higher with a one-point advantage.

Crawley Town

After a nightmare start to the season, Scott Lindsey's side have shown signs of improvement with two wins from their last three games. 

However, their momentum was halted last weekend when 400 travelling fans watched Crawley collapse to a 4-0 defeat at Notts County, conceding three times in the final 20 minutes.

Before that, the Reds had beaten Harrogate and Cheltenham and battled to a draw with promotion hopefuls Chesterfield. 

To climb the table and reignite hopes of another playoff push, consistency is key — starting with three points here.

Barrow

Barrow have also endured a shaky start, winning three and losing six to leave them 19th with nine points. 

Last time out, Isaac Fletcher's strike secured a narrow 1-0 win over Crewe, easing pressure on Andy Whing's side.

The Bluebirds' other league wins came against Notts County (2-1) and Colchester (2-0). But preparations for this weekend have been disrupted after illness forced the club to close their training ground, potentially handing Crawley an edge.

Head-to-head

History suggests a tight affair. Four of the last eight meetings have finished 1-0, while the most recent ended 1-1. 

That said, Barrow thrashed Crawley 4-0 in 2023 — the same season the Reds only just avoided relegation.

Players to watch

Crawley Town – Harry McKirdy

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Since being moved into his natural position, Harry McKirdy has been a bright spark for Crawley during their inconsistent start. The summer signing already has four goals and an assist to his name and looks dangerous whenever he's on the ball. 

Direct, confident, and always willing to take defenders on, he could be the one to cause real problems for Barrow's backline.

Barrow- MJ Williams

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Back from injury, MJ Williams could be the missing piece for Barrow. Highly rated by manager Andy Whing, who has labelled him "vital," the versatile defender brings a no-nonsense approach and helps control the space in front of the backline. His presence adds much-needed stability and leadership to the Bluebirds.

Prediction

Crawley 0-2 Barrow

The Reds are likely to dominate possession but continue to struggle in both penalty areas. Barrow's physicality and set-piece strength should see them take their chances and leave West Sussex with the points.