Swindon v Crawley - a history (From This Is Swindon Town FC)
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Swindon v Crawley - a history
10:16pm Monday 20th August 2012 in News
SWINDON Town’s competitive history against Crawley Town remains embryonic in nature.
The two clubs enjoyed a friendly game in the summer of 2005, which ended 4-3 in favour of the Robins, but it wasn’t until 2010 that they finally collided in a meaningful match.
On that occasion, Town - then in League One - had to travel to Sussex on a freezing cold evening in November for an FA Cup second round tie.
Crawley were riding high at the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier and, with Swindon struggling two divisions above, ESPN screened the game live in hope of an upset.
On a pitch best described as an ice rink, Charlie Austin fired Town in front but Matt Tubbs forced a replay.
Another horribly sub-zero night followed at the County Ground in the rematch.
Fewer than 3,000 turned up to see Jon-Paul McGovern and Austin score the goals that turned the game on its head after Ben Smith had handed Crawley the lead, only for Michael Rose’s own goal to send the tie to extra time.
Swindon, down to 10 men after Jonathan Douglas’ reckless lunge and playing in black at home, couldn’t hold out and Smith netted the winner.
Red Devils boss Steve Evans quickly developed a reputation as a figure of hate among Town fans for his constant gesturing on the sidelines. But it was his side who went through.
“We thought we’d weathered the storm and got through to penalties but that lack of concentration in the last few minutes allowed the boy (Ben Smith) to come inside and pick his spot,” said Swindon manager Danny Wilson afterwards.
The next season the two teams squared up to each other in League Two and Evans initiated a war of words with new Robins boss Paolo Di Canio in the build-up to the game.
“My memories of Di Canio are watching him play as he was a fantastic footballer and wonderful to watch,” he said.
“Whether if I was a chairman I would want him as my manager though is a totally different question, although it’s not really my place to say.
“All I know it’s a massive week for us and the Di Canio Circus rolls into town next Tuesday.”
Di Canio responded in kind, claiming he did not have a clue who Evans was, and it was the Italian who had the last laugh as two goals from Mehdi Kerrouche and one from Alan Connell secured a 3-0 victory at the Broadfield Stadium.
Five months later, on Valentine’s Day, Swindon replicated that feat at the County Ground - edging themselves closer to the title.
Can the Robins make it three consecutive 3-0 wins over their Sussex guests tonight?
Comments(14)
VinnyPericard
says...
11:20am Tue 21 Aug 12
Steve. Brentford
says...
12:47pm Tue 21 Aug 12
dave bamber`s caravan wrote:So do i Bamber`s and still Ive had to back Rotherham for Lge2 promotion,at least i will have something to smile about if he gets promoted.
Steve Evans.... i despise the guyliner wearing fat plum.....end of.
Ginge09
says...
12:48pm Tue 21 Aug 12
SAPFanSTFC
says...
12:49pm Tue 21 Aug 12
--
VP - Like you it would have been nice to send him home all hot sweaty and red faced from another 3-0 hammering but equally glad I don't have to watch his unsporting and quite frankly disgusting antics on the sidelines.
...bitter sweet moment - Think that they will be all the better for being without him though...touch task tonight!
Old-Stager, Hilperton
says...
2:05pm Tue 21 Aug 12
One thing that they do have in common though is that they are both sought after managers that always get results.
Rotherham United's choice of Steve Evans as their new manager was probably a good choice.
the real Tosh man
says...
3:08pm Tue 21 Aug 12
Stilloyal
says...
3:24pm Tue 21 Aug 12
Naturally I'm hoping for a Town win tonight, but some attitudes need to change .
COYR's
Oi Den!
says...
4:15pm Tue 21 Aug 12
the real Tosh man wrote:That's a bit unfair Tosh. Small club they may be, but I don't see why that makes them pathetic. I would be very angry to hear a fan of a Premier League club describe us as pathetic simply because our crowds are smaller than theirs. Small clubs are part of the joy of the Football League. I love my trips to Barnet, for instance, where you may not get a big crowd or bright and shiny facilities but you get a friendly welcome from the hardy souls that do turn up week in, week out. Give me that any day, rather than turning up as a visitor at a big ground, to be corralled into a pen and have your every move watched by a massive police presence.
Pathetic club. Poor support home and away. I'd be surprised if they bring 300 tonight.
Stilloyal
says...
4:19pm Tue 21 Aug 12
Oi Den! wrote:We're a biggish club with sh1t catering .
the real Tosh man wrote: Pathetic club. Poor support home and away. I'd be surprised if they bring 300 tonight.That's a bit unfair Tosh. Small club they may be, but I don't see why that makes them pathetic. I would be very angry to hear a fan of a Premier League club describe us as pathetic simply because our crowds are smaller than theirs. Small clubs are part of the joy of the Football League. I love my trips to Barnet, for instance, where you may not get a big crowd or bright and shiny facilities but you get a friendly welcome from the hardy souls that do turn up week in, week out. Give me that any day, rather than turning up as a visitor at a big ground, to be corralled into a pen and have your every move watched by a massive police presence.
Oi Den!
says...
4:24pm Tue 21 Aug 12
the don69
says...
4:55pm Tue 21 Aug 12
eetwood,Burton a bit of credit,they done well!!!!!
Mondeaux
says...
9:33pm Tue 21 Aug 12
the don69 wrote:Don69,
That's what football is all about for me chaps!big clubs,middle clubs,small clubs,even little minnow clubs like Crawley,makes football more fun!who wants to see Man U v Liverpool every week?boring and lets give Crawley,Stevenage,Fl
eetwood,Burton a bit of credit,they done well!!!!!
Yep, I played amateur league for 19 years and THE only reason I played was because I loved it.
I was never much good (but I was pretty quick) and could use either foot.
I'd play Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
Once, because of fixture build-up, I played ten games in two weeks. It's the sort of thing you can do when you're 21.
I've loved footie since I was 8 AND at the age of 61, I still do.
I'll say again, I wasn't much kop, but I loved it.
That's why footballers play football.
the real Tosh man
says...
6:47am Wed 22 Aug 12
Oi Den! wrote:I take it back, they're a great club steeped in history, well deserving of their place in league one. ..... give me chaos and blue flashing lights any day.
the real Tosh man wrote:That's a bit unfair Tosh. Small club they may be, but I don't see why that makes them pathetic. I would be very angry to hear a fan of a Premier League club describe us as pathetic simply because our crowds are smaller than theirs. Small clubs are part of the joy of the Football League. I love my trips to Barnet, for instance, where you may not get a big crowd or bright and shiny facilities but you get a friendly welcome from the hardy souls that do turn up week in, week out. Give me that any day, rather than turning up as a visitor at a big ground, to be corralled into a pen and have your every move watched by a massive police presence.
Pathetic club. Poor support home and away. I'd be surprised if they bring 300 tonight.
dave bamber`s caravan says...
10:53am Tue 21 Aug 12