Crewe Alexandra travel to face League One side Barnsley in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday (3pm).
The Railwaymen are unbeaten in their last four games, winning three of them and going six-and-a-half hours without conceding a goal.
Bassala Sambou scored the winner in the last round against Leyton Orient, as the Alex earnt a well-deserved 1-0 victory.
The Opposition
Barnsley have made a strong start to the season and currently occupy the final spot in League One’s Play-Off places, on 30 points.
Despite a 2-1 defeat against Port Vale in the Papa John’s trophy last time out after fielding a weaker side, the Tykes have won their last three league fixtures by an aggregate score of 6-1.
In the last round of the FA Cup, they were 2-1 winners over Bolton Wanderers, courtesy of a Ricardo Santos own goal and an Adam Phillips strike.
The Gaffer
Michael Duff took over the reins at Oakwell in June 2022, signing a three-year deal.
With over 700 appearances for Cheltenham Town and Burnley, the former Northern Ireland international has played in the top six leagues in English football, achieving a promotion to the Premier League on three occasions for Burnley.
In his previous role as Cheltenham manager, he guided the Gloucestershire side to League Two promotion during the 2020-21 season, winning the league title.
Fighting Talk
Lee Bell: “I’d expect a Barnsley team to be hard to score against and to work hard. Their fans demand high intensity, hard running and they will be right after us with a lot of energy.
“We are under no illusions, it will be a tough test, but we have to counteract what they do. We are the underdogs and that could play into our hands.”
Michael Duff: “They’re on a decent run themselves, they’ve won their last four games without conceding a goal, so they’re clearly a tough nut to crack. It’s always a tricky round this, because you know there’s an opportunity ahead of you.
“It’s about keeping the performances going for us. We’re at Oakwell, we’re a league above the opposition and it’s a chance to progress.”
Team News
Crewe continue to be without Courtney Baker-Richardson after sustaining a hamstring injury in training. Christopher Long and Callum Ainley also remain sidelined.
Slobodan Tedic remains a doubt for the Tykes having missed their last two games following an ankle injury. Matty Wolfe, Jordan Helliwell and Luke Thomas remain sidelined.
Head-to-Head
Barnsley have won 27 of the 56 meetings between both sides, with the Alex winning 14 times and 15 ties between the clubs.
In their most recent competitive meeting, the Yorkshire side were 3-1 winners in a third round FA Cup tie in January 2020.
Officials
Tom Reeves will take charge of the match at Oakwell on Saturday, having last officiated an Alex match in February 2022, a 2-0 defeat away to Wigan Athletic.
Elsewhere in the FA Cup
(Saturday) King’s Lynn Town v Stevenage; Cambridge United v Grimsby Town; Accrington Stanley v Barnet; Forest Green Rovers v Alvechurch; Portsmouth v Milton Keynes Dons; Shrewsbury Town v Peterborough United; Hartlepool United v Harrogate Town; Charlton Athletic v Stockport County; Oxford United v Exeter City; Sheffield Wednesday v Mansfield Town; AFC Wimbledon v Chesterfield; Walsall v Carlisle United; Wrexham AFC v Farnborough; Dagenham & Redbridge v Gillingham.
(Sunday) Ebbsfleet United v Fleetwood Town; Bristol Rovers v Boreham Wood; Burton Albion v Chippenham Town; Newport County AFC v Derby County; Ipswich Town v Buxton.
Tickets
|
Pre-Matchday | Matchday |
Adults |
£10 | £12 |
Seniors 65+ | £5 | £7 |
Under-19s | £5 | £7 |
Under-14s* | £5 | £7 |
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