It’s 1st v 3rd in League Two on Tuesday night, as league leaders County travel to Crewe Alexandra for a mouth-watering Cheshire derby.
Louie Barry’s first brace in a County shirt on Saturday saw Dave Challinor’s side survive a Grimsby fightback to secure a night straight win in all competitions, a result that maintained our two point lead over Notts County at the top of League Two. We now sit five points clear of 4th place Wrexham, and seven above AFC Wimbledon who sit just outside the play-off places.
It represents County’s best start to a league campaign since the 1993/94 campaign, and another win on Tuesday night would see us equal the all-time club record for consecutive wins. The current record of ten has been was set twice during the 2021/22 title-winning season, both under Dave Challinor.
A record-equalling win will have to be hard-earned on Tuesday night however, as we visit a Crewe side who are flying right now. The top scorers in League Two, Lee Bell’s side twice came from behind on Saturday to secure a 4-2 win at Crawley Town; a third win in four games that has lifted them into the automatic promotion places.
The Railwaymen have lost just twice in the league all season and are unbeaten at home – they go into the game knowing a win would see them move above County in the table.
Our Opponents:
After a difficult 2021/22 campaign that saw the club finish rock bottom of League One with just 29 points, last season was a year of transition for a young Crewe side adjusting to life back in League Two.
Just four wins from their opening 16 league games saw manager Alex Morris step back from his role, with his assistant, Lee Bell appointed on an interim basis before later being given the job permanently.
Although they continued to struggle on their travels, the Railwaymen have formed a formidable home record under Bell, having lost just twice at the Mornflake Stadium in 2023. They are unbeaten in their last 14 home games in League Two, a run dating back to February.
Six wins from their last seven home games helped them to secure a midtable finish, eventually finishing in 13th place – 17 points off the play-offs, but with promising signs to take into the new campaign.
Some astute additions over the summer have certainly helped, with 33-year-old Mickey Demetriou adding experience to a young back line after joining from Newport, whilst Jack Powell, so impressive for Crawley last season, has been added to the midfield.
Crucial to Crewe’s turnaround, however, has been the ability to keep forwards Chris Long and Courtney Baker-Richardson fit and firing this season. The duo’s playing time was limited last season due to injury but have been back to their best this term – Long chipping in with seven goals already, and Baker-Richardson contributing with six.
Their 34 league goals is the most across the entire EFL, and they are only 14 goals away from matching their total for the entirety of last season. The 17 points they’ve picked up at home already gives them the best home record in the division, and both sides will know they face a huge test on Tuesday if they are to keep their respective runs going.
Match Stats:
- Over the last ten games in League Two, County have picked up more points than any other side with 25. Crewe sit 2nd in that form table, having collected 20 points over that period.
- Tuesday will be the 154th competitive meeting between these two Cheshire rivals. In that time, County have won 66 previous encounters compared to Crewe’s 52. We have lost just one of our last seven meetings with the Railwaymen – a 2-0 defeat in April 2011 that confirmed our relegation from League Two.
- Will Collar has now either scored or assisted a goal in seven of his last eight appearances in League Two (three goals, five assists).
