Preview: Crawley Town vs Harrogate Town- Prediction, Lineup's, Team news
Crawley Town will be aiming to secure their first win of the season when they travel to face Harrogate Town at the Exercise Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Reds currently sit in 22nd place in League Two, just one position above the relegation zone on goal difference, and will be desperate to turn their fortunes around after a difficult start to the campaign.
Match Preview
Klaidi Lolos scores the winner in the last meeting between the sides. Photo by Eva Gilbert
Crawley have endured a frustrating beginning to life back in League Two, collecting only two points from their opening six matches and suffering a first-round Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Swansea City.
There were signs of improvement last weekend when summer signing Harry McKirdy struck twice to earn a valuable point against promotion contenders Chesterfield, adding to their earlier 1-1 draw with MK Dons in mid-August.
Despite results, manager Scott Lindsey remains upbeat and has urged his players to start games more strongly and manage key moments better, believing his side are close to becoming "a really good team."
Harrogate, meanwhile, have enjoyed a steadier start and sit comfortably in mid-table with two wins, two draws and two defeats.
They opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers, followed by draws against Grimsby Town and Cambridge United before another narrow 1-0 success against Barrow.
However, recent form has dipped, with Simon Weaver's side falling 2-1 to Chesterfield and 2-0 to Bromley in successive outings.
Crawley can also take confidence from their recent record in this fixture, having lost just once in the last eight meetings between the teams and winning each of the last three encounters.
Their most recent clash saw Klaidi Lolos net a superb second-half winner to keep the Reds' promotion hopes alive last season, though with Lolos now departed, a new hero will be needed to inspire them this time.
Form Guide
Crawley Town form (last five): LLDLD
Harrogate Town form (last five): LDWLL
Team News
Photo by Athena Pictures
Crawley's early-season injury concerns have eased, with Danny Cashman, Dion Pereira and Harry Forster all recovering, though Pereira will be unavailable due to international duty alongside Kaheim Dixon and goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott.
Harry McKirdy, fresh from his double against Chesterfield, is expected to lead the line once again, with Kabongo Tshimanga likely to remain on the bench.
Harrogate are also affected by international call-ups, with Stephen Duke-McKenna, Reece Smith and on-loan full-back Jacob Slater all away with their countries.
Conor McAleny is set to return on the left, Mason Bennett should start in behind striker Shawn McCoulsky, and Warren Burrell is likely to fill in at left-back.
Midfielder Levi Sutton remains doubtful with a long-term hamstring issue, so Bryn Morris and Jack Evans should anchor the midfield once again.
Predicted Lineups
Harrogate Town XI: Belshaw; Cass, O'Connor, Bradbury, Burrell; Morris, Evans; Taylor, Bennett, McAleny; McCoulsky
Crawley Town XI: Davies; Barker, Conroy, Flint; Williams; Adeyemo, Scott, Watson, Cashman, Brown; McKirdy
We Say Harrogate Town 1-3 Crawley Town
Although Crawley have endured a difficult start to the season, this fixture provides the perfect opportunity to turn things around.
The Reds showed last week that they can compete with promotion contenders, and Lindsey's side should have enough to edge past Harrogate.
That said, Crawley's defensive frailties remain a concern, and the hosts may well find joy if given chances, but the visitors' attacking edge could prove decisive.