Match Preview: Crewe Alexandra (H)
EFL League Two
The Hive London
Saturday, November 19, 2016 – KO 3pm
Team News: Elliott Johnson and Jamal Campbell-Ryce provided good news by returning to action in last weekend’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Grimsby Town at Blundell Park.
However, Bira Dembele is suspended after collecting five cautions and Alie Sesay serves the first game of a three-match ban following his dismissal at Grimsby.
Long-term absentees Michael Gash (knee), James Pearson (knee), Shaun Batt (hamstring) and Gavin Hoyte (hamstring) remain sidelined.
You can watch Martin Allen’s full preview of the game by clicking here.
Last Time We Met: It has been more than four years since Barnet and Crewe Alexandra last met and this will be the Railwaymen’s first visit to our new home.
The last encounter between the two sides finished in a 2-0 victory for the Bees with two Alex players getting their marching orders at Underhill in January 2012.
On the scoresheet for Barnet that day were Izale McLeod – from the penalty spot – and Reading loanee Michael Hector.
Crewe’s task was made considerably harder by the loss of centre-backs David Artell and Adam Dugdale before half time – both to straight red cards.
Manager: Steve Davis, 50, has been at the helm at Gresty Road since 2011 when he joined from Nantwich Town as assistant manager.Â
Davis’ managerial career began with Northwich Victoria in 2003 where combined playing duties with management. However, he resigned two months into the 2003/04 season with the Vicks second bottom of the Conference.
That setback didn’t hold Davis back, though, and he returned to management with Nantwich Town in 2004, overseeing the most successful period in the club’s history.
Two promotions in three seasons and an FA Vase victory were the headlines as Nantwich and Davis narrowly missed out on promotion to the Conference North in 2009.
That success didn’t go unnoticed at Crewe and, in May 2009, he was poached by Gudjon Thordarson to become assistant boss at Gresty Road.
When the Icelandic boss left in October 2009 Davis remained number two to legendary Crewe boss Dario Gradi – in his third stint in the hotseat – who remained at the club until 2011.Â
It was then Davis took temporary charge with Gradi missing a 3-1 defeat to Oldham Athletic in the FA Trophy due to illness.
Shortly after he was handed the reins on a full-time basis and the former Crewe defender has since won the League Two Play-Off Final and the Football League Trophy.
Dangerman: Chelsea loanee Chris Kiwomya has enjoyed a fine start to his loan spell with Alex, scoring six times in just nine EFL League Two starts for the Cheshire outfit.
The winger-cum-striker, 20, joined Crewe in the summer until January and netted the winner on his full debut against Stevenage after coming off the bench.
His first full start came ten days later and again the pacey wideman netted in a 3-3 draw with Hartlepool United.
Kiwomya, who has represented England at Under-16, 17, 18 and 19 level, has previously spent time on loan in the EFL at Barnsley and Fleetwood Town.Â
The Sheffield-born attacker began at local club Rotherham United before moving to Stamford Bridge in 2010 and is contracted with the Premier League giants until next summer.
Kiwomya is the son of former Bradford City pro Andy and the nephew of ex-Ipswich Town and Arsenal forward Chris.Â
Connections: Nigerian goalkeeper Ademola Bankole spent time at Underhill but it was at Gresty Road where he made the bulk of his appearances in English football, turning out 64 times between 2000 and 2004.
In January 2004 the Lagos-born stopper moved to Barnet on loan and made seven appearances in black and amber before being released by his parent club at the end of the season.
Another keeper, Frenchman Bertrand Bossu, made his only Bees appearance as a substitute in a play-off semi-final defeat at Peterborough United in May 2000.
He subsequently joined Crewe in 2009 but failed to make a senior appearance for the Railwaymen and was last playing in his homeland.
Centre-back Patrick Ada, 31, had a slightly lengthier Bees career. He later spent two years at Crewe, turning out 65 times in all competitions.
Sagi Burton, a full international with St Kitts and Nevis, made 34 appearances for Barnet during the 2007/08 season having turned out for the Alex just once earlier in his career.Â
Last Time Out: Crewe exited the Emirates FA Cup with a 4-1 defeat to EFL League Two rivals Cheltenham Town at Gresty Road on Tuesday.
The original tie had ended in a 1-1 draw but the second instalment was nowhere near as close with the Robins taking a two-goal lead before half time thanks to strikes from Harry Pell and Jack Barthram.
Billy Waters and Dan Holman piled on the misery for Crewe after the restart. The one bright spot was experienced forward Ryan Lowe returning from injury to score a consolation for Crewe 25 minutes from time.
Crewe Alexandra (4-2-3-1): Garratt; Ng, Davis, Nugent, Guthrie; Hollands, Cooper; Jones, Ainley, Kiwomya; Udoh.
Ticket info: Supporters can order tickets for tomorrow’s match from our online box office or by arriving early and buying on the day from The Hive Ticket Office.Â