Cheltenham Town open the new Sky Bet League Two season with a home clash against Crawley Town at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
The Robins will be aiming to secure a confidence boosting win over Crawley â after beating them twice last season in the league.
Crawley finished 14th, eight points and three places above the Robins last season, and have not won in four previous visits to Whaddon Road.
The Opposition:
Crawley boss Harry Kewell admits âanything other than a loss is a bonusâ ahead of the trip to Cheltenham.
Kewell watched his Reds lose twice last season to Gary Johnsonâs men â including a 5-3 thriller at home - and he believes the Robins will provide a stern test on the opening day.
He said: âWe lost twice to Cheltenham last year so hopefully we donât do that again. Anything other than a loss is a bonus for us so weâll go there and itâs going to be a difficult game.â
âHe (Gary Johnson) has got a well-structured team, theyâre working well together, and Iâve seen a few of their games and theyâre working hard and scoring goals.
âTheyâre going to be a difficult team to beat this year as theyâve made some good signings.â
âEvery team wants to get off to a winning start but unfortunately not everyone can,â he added.
âItâs not the be all and end all, you play your first game, and you try to win your first game and if it happens it happens and if it doesnât then youâve got to regroup and go again.
âWeâre in this situation where, would we like more time, would we like this, would we like our players to be fitter, but we canât, so my players are ready, Iâm ready and we will see what happens.â
News:
Cheltenham team news: Full back Chris Hussey will miss the game due to suspension and as he continues his rehabilitation from minor groin surgery.
Crawley team news: Apart from Jimmy Smith (knee), the Reds travelled to Gloucestershire on Friday with a fully fit squad.
The man in the middle:
Sheffield based referee Thomas Bramall â who handed out 42 yellow cards and four red card in 18 games last season - will take charge of the league game at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium. He will be assisted by Ronald Ganfield, Thomas Harty and fourth official Mark Griffiths.
Last time we met:
24/03/18 â Crawley Town 3-5 Cheltenham (L2)
12/08/17 âCheltenham 1-0 Crawley Town (L2)
14/04/17 â Crawley Town 0-0 Cheltenham (L2)
15/10/16 â Cheltenham 2-1 Crawley Town (L2)
06/08/13 â Cheltenham 4-3 Crawley Town (CC)
Ticket Information:
You can buy online by clicking HERE
On matchday a limited number of seats will be available from the Ticket Office from 12noon for those supporters who wish to pay by card.
Tickets will be available for fans paying with cash at the turnstiles from 1.30pm.
Ticket collections:
- If you have purchased tickets in the Autovillage Main Stand, Paddock or Tunnel Areas your tickets on a matchday will be available for collection at the Ticket Office.
- If you have purchased tickets in the Colin Farmer Stand your tickets will be available from the collection point located at the stand.
- In order to collect your tickets, please remember you will need to quote your name and postcode at the relevant collection points.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium this Saturday!