Matchday Guide | Sutton (A)

28 November 2023

Crewe Alexandra will aim to make it five wins on the spin in all competitions when they visit Sutton United tonight (Tuesday, 7.45 pm).

Lee Bell’s side will take the weekend’s comeback success against Doncaster Rovers into the clash with the rock-bottom hosts.

The Opposition

Sutton United sit at the foot of League Two after managing just 13 points from their first 19 games of the season.

However, they are unbeaten in their last four league games and will bid to extend that run.

The Gaffer

Matt Gray took charge in 2019 and achieved promotion to the EFL at the end of in his second season at the helm. Last term, he guided them to a creditable eighth-placed finish.

As a player, he was on the book at the likes of Tottenham and Cardiff before being forced to retire early through injury.

Fighting Talk

Lee Bell: “They will work for their manager who has been there for a long time. It will be a tough game. They have good players and I really think they are a team that could turn around their position.”

Matt Gray: “Crewe have had a really impressive start to the season so it will be a really tough game.

Head-to-Head

The teams have only met twice - and that was last season. The game at Sutton finished 1-1 while, in South Cheshire, Courtney Baker-Richardson ‘s goal separated the sides.

Match Officials

Referee John Busby has handed out 61 yellow cards and one red in the 12 games he has taken charge of this season.

His assistants are Mark Russell and Carl Fitch-Jackson. The fourth official is Matthew Russell.

Ticket Details

For ticket details on the visit to VBS Community Stadium please click here.

How to Get There

Click here for travel information to Sutton.

Elsewhere in League Two

Accrington v Swindon; Barrow v Walsall; Doncaster v Colchester; Forest Green v Bradford; Gillingham v Wimbledon; Harrogate v Wrexham; Mansfield v Tranmere; MK Dons v Grimsby; Morecambe v Newport; Notts County v Crawley; Stockport v Salford.

Can’t Make the Game?

Crewe fans in the UK and around the world can watch the clash with Sutton live on iFollow.

An iFollow match pass for Crewe fixtures includes graphics and replays – all for just £10 (or local equivalent).

The action is complemented by commentary from the BBC Radio Stoke team of Graham McGarry and Peter Morse.

Click here to secure your iFollow match pass today and make sure you don’t miss a minute of the contest.

Alternatively, you can listen to LIVE commentary on iFollow - CLICK HERE to purchase an Audio Match Pass for just £2.50!

Match Reports

Match Report | Sutton 1 Crewe 1

28 November 2023

Railwaymen are held on the road
Baker-Richardson hits ninth of season
Seven unbeaten in all competitions

Crewe Alexandra had to settle for a share of the spoils after a chilly night at Sutton United.

Courtney Baker-Richardson’s brilliant curler – his ninth of the season - broke the deadlock at Gander Green Lane.

But Louis John scrambled in a leveller to make it all square at the break.

And though Lee Bell’s men bossed the second half and showed real composure and intelligence in their play, they couldn’t find a winner.

To their credit, rock-bottom Sutton battled hard and threw bodies on the line.

Crewe drop to fifth in League Two as a result of the draw, and will now prepare for this weekend’s visit of Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup.

Manager Lee Bell made one change to the side that beat Doncaster at the weekend. Elliott Nevitt was recalled to the starting line-up at the expense of Aaron Rowe, who dropped to the bench.

Sutton, who started in a 4-4-2 with the physical pairing of Lee Angol and Harry Smith leading their attack, found themselves chasing Crewe possession in the early stages.

It opened up for Nevitt on 11 minutes but his side-footed effort was into the gloves of home keeper Steven Arnold.

But he couldn’t keep out Baker-Richardson’s superb opener on 18 minutes. The striker won the ball back high up the pitch and exchanged passes with Nevitt before curling into the far corner from 25 yards.

However, it was 1-1 on 28 minutes when John was able to bundle the ball home following a corner.

Sutton played a percentage game; hitting long and looking to win throws and set-pieces, and they always a posed a potential threat that way.

But the Alex were looking to build move and create chances, and they almost led before the break.

Nevittt saw a shot blocked before Shilow Tracey rattled the bar, following excellent approach play involving Joe White and Rio Adebisi.

Connor O’Riordan screwed a shot just wide soon after the restart, while Angol couldn’t stretch to convert a cross at the other end.

The Alex had strong penalty appeals waved away after Tracey’s driven cross appeared to strike an arm – but they only grew in strength.

Captain Luke Offord stepped into midfield to create an extra man and Conor Thomas ran forward to stretch the home defence as they prompted and probed.

On 83 minutes a rare Sutton counter culminated in an Aidan O’Brien shot that cannoned off the post.

Thomas poked just wide after connecting with a Mickey Demetriou knock-down as the game entered its final few minutes.

Baker-Richardson twice saw strikes blocked from close range as Crewe tried to force a late winner but it wasn’t to be.

Sutton (4-4-2): Arnold; Kizzi, Sowunmi, Jackson, John (O’Brien, 48); Coley, N.Guessan, Clay, Beautyman; Angol (Pereira, 63), Smith.

Subs not used: House, Patrick, Dundas, Fadahunsi.

Booked: Coley, Pereira

Crewe (3-5-2): Davies; O’Riordan, Offord, Demetriou; Cooney, Thomas, White, Adebisi, Tracey; Nevitt (Rowe, 92), Baker-Richardson.

Subs not used: Booth, Colkett, Billington, Kempster-Down, Agius, Robinson.

Booked: Cooney

Referee: John Busby.

Attendance: 2,233 (192)

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Standings

Sutton United vs Crewe Alexandra - Replay - Tue 28th November 2023

Sutton United vs Crewe Alexandra - Highlights - Tue 28th November 2023

Sutton United vs Crewe Alexandra - Extended highlights - Tue 28th November 2023