Lincoln City host 17th-placed Crewe Alexandra this Saturday in the sixth home league fixture of the season. The Imps are currently at the top of the SkyBet League Two table with 25 points.
The Imps travelled to Tranmere’s Prenton Park on Tuesday night where they were unlucky to pick up any points after dominating the first half. Despite this, City have won eight of their 11 league fixtures.
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Crewe Alexandra won their last game 1-0 with Charlie Kirk scoring the only goal on Tuesday night against Swindon Town.
The Railwayman suffered defeat in their last game away from home, losing 2-1 to Notts County at Meadow Lane. Robert Milsom opened the scoring in the fifth minute for County before Jordan Bowery equalised just nine minutes later. However, Elliott Hewitt scored the winner for Harry Kewell’s side in the 61st minute.
Earlier this season, Crewe faced Premier League 2 opposition in Manchester City’s Under 21 side. David Artell’s side lost 4-1 as they hosted the Premier League champions’ youth side.
Last six games: LWDLLW
League position: 17th
Manager’s comments
Artell's side are yet to win away from home this season, and believes a professional performance would go some way into securing that elusive away victory.
"It doesn't matter whether it’s Lincoln or Notts County or MK Dons. It doesn't really matter, you’ve got to go there and be professional, you’ve got to do your job, don’t get overawed or let any unfamiliarity, whether that be the ground, the pitch, the changing rooms, the fans, affect you," the Crewe boss told Cheshire Live.
"We’ve got to make sure that we do our jobs properly on Saturday and if we do, then we’ve got a great chance."
Saturday's visitors have lost just once on home soil so far in this league season, including a 6-0 victory on the opening day against Morecambe.
Artell is hoping his side can transfer the home form into positive results on the road.
"Away from home, we need to score, get some points and perform like we have done at home. We had a meeting with the boys yesterday and said if our away form is anything like our home form, we’re going to be right up there and we’ve got to make sure that happens," he added.
Injury news
Defender Perry Ng is a doubt for the fixture, following an ankle injury that he picked up in training prior to the Swindon Town victory in midweek.
Crewe will also be without long-term absentees Paul Green and Eddie Nolan, while Harry Pickering could make his return following a hamstring injury.
Green and Pickering both scored in the 4-1 victory for the Alex at Sincil Bank in February.
Previous Meetings
The last time the two sides met was last season when the Imps hosted Crewe Alexandra at Sincol Bank. Lincoln will be looking for revenge as they lost 4-1 on the day with their only goal coming through Michael Bostwick.
In the previous fixture, the same score line occurred, going in the Imps favour that time. Harry Anderson scored two as City came from being 1-0 behind to pick up three points. Michael Raynes’ own goal made it three with Elliot Whitehouse scoring the fourth in the 94th minute.
One to Watch – Jordan Bowery
Nottingham-born Jordan Bowery joined Crewe Alexandra initially on loan in January 2017 from Leyton Orient. He scored his first goal for the Railwaymen in May 2017, before signing a two-year deal with the club following Leyton Orient’s relegation from the Football League.
Bowery scored two league goals in 19 league appearances during the 2016/17 season for Crewe. The striker hit double figures during his first full season with the club, scoring 12 league goals in 45 league appearances.
This season, the 27-year-old has scored three SkyBet League Two goals in nine league appearances, his last coming against Notts County at the end of September.
Bowery played in 19 Premier League games during his time at Aston Villa between 2012 and 2014 but failed to score in the top flight. The striker signed at Villa Park following five seasons with Chesterfield.
Tickets
The Imps will have the whole of the Stacey West Stand for the fixture, and with over 8,100 already sold - you can get yours now! Click HERE for tickets.