It's a second home game of the week for Sutton tonight as Crawley Town make the short journey from Sussex for a Sky Bet League Two game postponed from January 21st, when the pitch at the VBS was frozen.
That game would have been Scott Lindsey's first in charge of Crawley after his move from Swindon to replace Matt Etherington, and the following week he was off to a good start with a 3-2 defeat of promotion contenders Salford. However Crawley's seven subsequent games have yielded just one point, and they have lost their last five, albeit a run which has included games against Stockport, Leyton Orient, Carlisle and Northampton, all except the Carlisle game lost by the odd goal. They are the only one of the 92 Premier League and EFL clubs still to win away from home this season, and come in to tonight's game with only Rochdale below them in the table and a three point gap to 22nd placed Hartlepool. Midfielder and captain Ben Gladwin was a notable addition to the squad in the January transfer window, following Scott Lindsey from Swindon, while experienced midfielder Jordon Mutch, who has over 70 Premier League appearances to his name, was added last week.
Sutton needed a stoppage time goal from Coby Rowe, his third goal in as many games, to rescue a point against Crewe on Saturday and are currently 9th in the table, four points outside te play-off area. Manager Matt Gray, who is one of the nominations for the February Manager of the Month in League Two, and at the end of the game will have managed more Sutton games in the Football League than he did in the National League, could have both Alistair Smith and Donovan Wilson available for selection after both missed Saturday's game through injury.
Referee Tom Reeves is in his second season as an EFL referee and although this is his first Sutton match in the competition he has taken charge of several in the National League and most recently the FA Trophy game against Woking two years ago yesterday.
A reminder that any tickets bought for the game in January remain valid for tonight's game. Anyone wishing to buy a ticket can do so here. Prices are £20 for adults, £14 for concessions and £6 for juniors, with tickets for under 12s free if bought in conjunction with an adult or concession ticket. Stand seats are £5 extra. Admission will be available on the day, but prices for adult and concession tickets bought at the ground on the day rise by £2, an increase not applicable to tickets bought on line, even today.
We will be using the programme printed for the original game tonight, selling it at the reduced price of £2. Anyone not at the game who would like to order a copy to be posted out after the game can do so here.
As it is now a midweek game a live stream will be available to UK supporters as well as overseas. Passes cost £10 and can be bought here.
The fanzone will be open from 6pm tonight serving food and drink, with the Crawley fanzone opening at 6.30pm behind the visiting supporter accommodation.