Crewe Alexandra will look to extend their unbeaten start to 2023 when they host Stockport County at Mornflake Stadium tonight (7:45pm).
Lee Bell’s side will also aim to restore the balance after slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Edgeley Park on Boxing Day.
The Opposition
County lie 12th in League Two, four points off seventh-placed Mansfield Town in the final Play-Off spot.
The Hatters suffered a 1-0 defeat last time out against AFC Wimbledon, with Harry Pell grabbing the winner just after the half-time break.
The Gaffer
Dave Challinor took over at County in November 2021 and guided them back to the EFL. He most recently won December’s Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month award.
Previously, Challinor cut his teeth as a boss with Welsh side Colwyn Bay in 2010, before moving on and spending eight seasons with AFC Fylde, and two years at Hartlepool United, before re-joining Stockport, where he spent some time as a player.
Fighting Talk
Lee Bell: “Night games have always been my favourite type of games, so hopefully we'll have a good crowd. We are going into it on the back of a couple of good results and performances and we're looking forward to it."
Dave Challinor: “All games are opportunities to bounce back. We had a good following at AFC Wimbledon, but they will double in numbers at Crewe and we'll have to put in a performance that gets us three points."
Team News
Crewe Alexandra welcome back captain Luke Offord to the squad after he completed a three-match suspension and also, Charlie Colkett, who has recovered from a hamstring injury. New signings James Beadle, Ryan Finnigan and David Amoo may feature, but Christopher Long and Courtney Baker-Richardson remain sidelined.
Stockport will assess the fitness of Phil Bardsley, who has missed the last few games through injury, but Paddy Madden could return to the starting line-up. New signing Kyle Knoyle made his first full debut, following his transfer from Doncaster Rovers against Northampton.
Head-to-Head
Stockport have the upper hand in the club’s past meetings, winning 60 of the 141 contests between both clubs, compared to the Alex’s 51 triumphs.
Crewe have only won one of their last six league meetings against County, a 2-0 victory in April 2011 which confirmed Stockport’s relegation to the National League.
Officials
Tom Reeves has been appointed as referee for the fixture, having last taken charge of The Railwaymen in November this season, a 3-0 defeat in the FA Cup second round against Barnsley.
He will be assisted by Christopher Ward and Mark Cuncliffe, with Christopher Husband acting as fourth official.
Elsewhere in League Two
Carlisle United v Barrow; Salford v Walsall.
Ticket Details
Boughey Stand | Rhino Safety Stand | Andrew Connolly Financial Planning Stand | |
Adult | £25 (£21) | £23 (£20) | £23 (£20) |
Senior (65+) | £19 (£16) | £17.50 (£15) | £17.50 (£15) |
17-19 Years | (£14.50) | (£13.50) | (£13.50) |
Student | (£12.50) | (£12.50) | (£12.50) |
12-16 Years | £12 (£10) | £10 (£9.50) | £10 (£9.50) |
Under 11 | £7.50 (£6) | £6.50 (£5.50) | £6.50 (£5.50) |
Disabled | £19 (£16) | £17.50 (£15) | £17.50 (£15) |
Family Ticket | N/A | N/A | £23.00* |
How To Find Us
For information on how to get to Mornflake Stadium via rail or road, CLICK HERE.
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