Game 28 - The Red Devils (A)
Team - Crawley Town
Date - 17/01/2026 15:00
Where - Broadfield Stadium

What would your starting line-up be? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Notts will be wanting to get back to winning ways against a Crawley side that are currently in the bottom 4 in League 2 with just 4 wins in their 25 matches played

Crawley's recent form is not good with 4 defeats & 1 draw in their last 5 matches, even so, Crawley will make it very hard for Notts, & they should not be underestimated.

Notts have two new players recruited during the transfer window Goalkeeper, James Belshaw, & Forward, Beck- Ray Enoru. It will be interesting if they will both be in contention for a place in the Notts 11 against Crawley.

I suspect that Belshaw will start in goal for his Notts debut & Enoru will be on the bench. Hopefully, Matt Palmer will be back after his injury & will be in contention for the match.

It is going to be another tough match for Notts despite the position Crawley find themselves in League 2. I expect it will be a close fought tussle, but I do believe Notts can get the win.

Having seen both the 11 v 11 practice match video from the Notts and then the training video Matt Palmer is present in both and therefore is surely going to be back in the squad, if he's fit and feels good you'd be mad not to start him in. Just in terms of injuries, because we've not played for a few weeks we should be in a pretty good space I'm thinking all but Robbo should be in contention now.

And because we've had the break in theory we should look fresh and be more than capable of putting in a really energetic performance and in terms of opposition I think getting Crawley is the perfect first match back. They will play out from the back and commit to it, this fits perfectly with Martin's desire to see us become a more direct and pressing side, the chance to pressure their defenders into making mistakes will be there. I just hope we see it!

Well we know that Belshaw will be in goal for certain after Roos departure, I think Enoru will be on the bench and if fit and ready Palmer needs to start.

On paper we should win this game, so let’s hope we get a good performance and result.

It's Matchday.

The Notts team to face Crawley.

Belshaw makes his debut. Enoru on the bench. Palmer returns.

Great to see Palmer and Jones starting.

COME ON YOU PIES!

(1) The Match Kicks off.

CMON U PIES!!

Crawley 0-0 Notts

Update.

(10) Jatta has a goal ruled out for offside after Iorpenda's shot was parried to him six yards out.

Crawley 0-0 Notts

It looks a balanced line up, delighted to see Grant & Palmer back in the starting line up. Astonished that Jones is in tbh - but I guess it goes back to “balance” and not risking the new man from the start, nurse him in gradually. Dennis should not be on the bench in my view, that is just strange.

We need the win, COYP.

Update

(15) Jatta lands a header on the roof of the net after Jones crossed from the byline.

Crawley 0-0 Notts

Update.

(21) Two big saves in quick succession from Belshaw - the first a reaction stop to keep a header out, the second a sprawling stop to his right to push Williams' shot away from his bottom corner.

Crawley 0-0 Notts.

Update

(38) Jones' cross goes over the keeper and is met by Tsaroulla at the back post, but the angle is tight and his right-footed shot goes behind.

Crawley 0-0 Notts

Update.

Goalless at the break.

Crawley 0 Notts 0

A poor half in general...

Looks like we need new blood - MP circling back to things proven not to work (2 non-scorers in the No 10 positions, Palmer and Norburn in midfield together).

It was a cautious selection with positive options on the bench, so maybe the plan will reveal itself in the 2nd half.

(46) Back to it. No changes

Crawley 0-0 Notts

Update

GOOOOOAAAAAL JODI JONES

(54) Jatta's goal bound header is cleared off the line, but Notts keep the attack alive and Jones finds a stunning finish into the far corner!

Crawley 0-1 Notts

We needed that, Jones needed it too. COYP.

Update

(64) RED CARD for Lolos (Crawley ) after an off-the-ball clash with Norburn.

Crawley 0-1 Notts

Update.

(69) Enoru and Dennis replace Jones and Grant.

Crawley 0-1 Notts

Update

(76) Hall is on for Iorpenda.

Crawley 0-1 Notts

Update.

GOOOOOAAAAAL JATTA

(81) Bedeau's goal bound header's blocked but AJ's there to score from close range!

Crawley 0-2 Notts

Update

(85) Kouhyar and Ness replace Tsaroulla and Macari.

Crawley 0-2 Notts

Update

Goal for Crawley

(90+4) McKirdy's deflected free-kick beats Belshaw.

Crawley 1-2 Notts

Update

Full Time

An away win for Notts.

Crawley 1-2 Notts

Quality goal from Jones.

After stinkers last time out, Platt and Jatta were back to their bests. Very entertaining cameo from BRE. Solid debut from Belshaw.

On the negative side, I get why Palmer was given the insurance of Norburn for his first game back. But we don't need that now IMO and i thought Norburn had a poor game.

Notts are back in a playroom space after today's matches.