Year Founded: 1877
Nickname: The Railwaymen
Honours: Football League Trophy: 2012-13

Crewe Alexandra were founded in 1877, as they look to create a separate organisation to Crewe Cricket Club. They got the name of ‘Alexandra’ from Princess Alexandra, who was wife of King Edward VII.

They entered the Football Alliance in 1889, before becoming founding members of the Football League’s Second Division.

Despite being founding members, Crewe failed their re-election after finishing rock bottom during the 1895-96 season. After spending many years in more local leagues, Crewe Alexandra finally returned to the Football League in 1921, as they were invited into the Third Division North.

After spending a lot of their history in the Third and Fourth Division, the Railwaymen found themselves in the Championship after the Football League reform in 2004. After two seasons in the Championship, they were relegated to League One in 2006 and League Two in 2009.

After once again returning to League One, Crewe managed to win their first major trophy in their history, as they beat Southend United 2-0 at Wembley in the EFL Trophy Final.

Today, Crewe find themselves back in League one, and despite a few disappointing seasons of late, they are looking a strong outfit this season, with automatic promotion the primary aim, as they look to return to their former glory days of playing in the Championship.

Doncaster 0 Northampton 0 – League One

Doncaster and Northampton battled out a scrappy goalless draw that did little to aid their aspirations at either end of the League One table.

Both sides struggled for fluidity in a game of few chances, with Rovers staying in the play-off positions and Town lingering above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Northampton keeper Jon Mitchell produced a superb save to tip over a header from Tom Anderson midway through the first half.

The visitors mounted decent spells of pressure without testing Louis Jones in the Doncaster goal.

Taylor Richards drilled a low effort from 25 yards which Mitchell held comfortably before Ryan Watson fired wide from a good position at the other end.

Doncaster dominated much of the second half but met stubborn resistance from Northampton.

James Coppinger, Elliot Simoes and Reece James all had efforts on goal for Rovers.

Mickel Miller almost saw a corner go straight in only for it to be blocked on the line by team-mate Watson.

Rovers pushed for a winner in the latter stages but struggled to force chances on goal.

Crewe 3 Burton 3 – League One

The Brewers maintained their revival under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, which has seen them move seven points above the relegation zone, to condemn Alex to their first home defeat in 12 games.

Hemmings punished poor defending as Burton swept into a three-goal lead inside 34 minutes.

When Tom Hamer’s long throw bounced across the six-yard box, the striker applied the decisive touch with his head for the 10th-minute opener.

Hemmings then made the most of Omar Beckles’ failure to get the ball under control and surged clear to fire across keeper Dave Richards for the second in the 23rd minute.

He completed his hat-trick when taking on a loose pass and out running Beckles before shooting under Richards in the 34th minute.

It was a ruthless spell of finishing that the hosts could not replicate and when they did pose a threat they found their former keeper Ben Garratt in excellent form.

Garratt produced an instinctive save low down to prevent Luke Murphy’s piledriver from levelling early in the game and the keeper then tipped an effort from Ryan Wintle over later in the half.

After the restart Garratt stood tall to thwart Tommy Lowery when the midfielder broke clear on goal.

Crewe were restricted to long-range efforts after that with Wintle and Harry Pickering failing to trouble Garratt.

On the other hand, the Brewers may have added to their tally. Sean Clare’s volley was turned over by Richards, while the visitors felt hard done by when substitute Michael Fondop was hauled over by Beckles, but referee Graham Salisbury waved away penalty appeals.

05/12/20 – The Cobblers 0 Doncaster 2

The home faithful saw the Alex get off to the worst possible start as they were caught out by a quick free-kick from which Ricky Holmes edged Keith Curle’s side ahead in the second minute.

But Owen Dale equalised for Crewe in the 53rd minute and they piled on the pressure after Joe Martin’s dismissal, with Wintle driving in the winner in the fourth minute of added time.

The home faithful saw the Alex get off to the worst possible start as they were caught out by a quick free-kick from which Ricky Holmes edged Keith Curle’s side ahead in the second minute.

But Owen Dale equalised for Crewe in the 53rd minute and they piled on the pressure after Joe Martin’s dismissal, with Wintle driving in the winner in the fourth minute of added time.

Crewe looked sharper at the start of the second half and when Charlie Kirk floated in a cross from the by-line, Dale dug out a shot off the turf which flew into the far corner.

Oli Finney wasted a great chance to put the home side ahead when he blasted over from 12 yards.

But Northampton were up against it when defender Martin got his marching orders in the 75th minute after picking up a second booking.

Crewe pressed their advantage and Kirk hit the far post with an angled shot before his lobbed effort was headed off the line by Hoskins.

Northampton were hanging on in the closing stages, with goalkeeper Steve Arnold excelling as he pushed Tom Lowery’s shot around a post and Mikael Mandron sent a header against the crossbar from close range.

But the visitors’ defence was breached by Wintle as he fired in from six yards from Kirk’s pull-back.

Last 6 meetings

Played	Won	Draw	Lost	F	A
70	29	16	25	119	88

Biggest Win	01/02/2011 – 6-2 w- 4th Tier – Sixfeilds – Ian Sampson
Biggest Loss	31/08/1993 – 3-1 L – Gretsy Road
First-Ever Game	28/09/1958 – 4th Tier – Dave Smith – 3-0 W – County Ground

Played for Both – Crewe Alexandra

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Sam Allison will be the man in charge when Northampton Town host Crewe at the PTS Academy Stadium on Saturday.

Sam was promoted to the EFL in 2020, Saturday will be Sam’s 28th game this season 8 of thoses coming in League One. Sam has booked 77 players and sent one player off.

Sams last Cobblers game was a 2-0 loss to Charlton at the PTS Academy Stadium.

Sam will be assisted by James Vallance and Scott Williams. The fourth official will be Craig Hicks

His latest Cobblers Game

Date	Comp	Match	Y	R
24/10/20	Leauge One	Northampton 0 Charton 2	4	0

His latest Crewe Games

Date	Comp	Match	Y	R

All season ticket holders will have access to watch the Crewe Alexandra game on Saturday on iFollow.

To check….

1. Log in to iFollow
2. Click your name in the top navigation bar to get to the ‘My Account page’
3. Click the + sign next to ‘Purchased Packages’

If you have access, you will see ‘Season Ticket – Northampton Town’ listed here.

If you experience any issues, please email ifollow@ntfc.co.uk

Thank you for your support.

Non season ticket holders can purchase the game for £10.

Northampton have won 30% of their last 20 home league games and Crewe have lost 50% of their last 20 away league games.

The last time Crewe won away in the league was 5 games ago against Shrewsbury. The last time Northampton lost a home league game was 4 matches ago against Burton.

Northampton last kept a clean sheet at home 2 games ago, and have kept 6 clean sheets in their last 20 home games. Crewe last failed to score away in the league 1 games ago and have missed the net in 6 of their last 20 away league games.

Of the 6 league games Northampton has won at home, they scored first 6 times. Of the 10 away games Crewe has lost, they conceded first 8 times.

Stats	Northampton	Crewe
Games Played	35	35
Goals	31	43
Shots on target	112	156
Shooting accuracy	43.10%	51.50%
Goals conceded	52	46
Clean sheets	9	7
Yellow cards	72	40
Red Cards	3	0

#RedNoseDay

Some classic #RedNoseDay pictures from Pete Norton. #ntfc | @ntfc pic.twitter.com/mbgQsMEE7e
— Cobblers Past 👞 (@CobblersPast) March 19, 2021