The Saddlers welcome Crawley Town to the Bescot.
The Opposition
Back on the 11th October 2025 we drew 1-1 at the Broadfield Stadium with Connor Barrett grabbing our equaliser early in the 2nd half. Harry McKirdy had missed a penalty in the 5th minute for Crawley before providing the assist for their goal in the 32nd minute. Crawley were 21st in the table after that game and have barely moved since then, as they currently sit in 20th.
The Proposition
Despite a much improved performance against Tranmere, the Saddlers were back to mediocre ways playing out a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Accrington at the Bescot just a few days ago.
In contrast Crawley finally picked up a win after an 11 game winless streak (4 draws/7 losses). They beat Barrow away 1-0.
The First Time
The first meeting between the sides, was in League One on 17th November 2012 which resulted in a 2-2 away draw.
The Last Time
The Saddlers last meeting with Crawley was a 1-1 away draw in League Two on the 11th October last year.
The Worst Time
We lost to them 3-2 at home on the 13th August 2019 in the League Cup 1st Round.
The Best Time
On the 14th April 2015, we beat them 5-0 at the Bescot in League One.
Played for both
Aramide Oteh plays as a forward for Braintree Town.
Oteh began his career with the Academy of Tottenham Hotspur, before he was released in 2017 having made no appearances for the club’s first team. Having previously spent time with the club on a work experience loan, he then signed permanently for Queens Park Rangers, where he made his professional debut in 2017. Oteh spent the majority of his time at the club out on loan, having spells with Walsall, Bradford City, Stevenage, and Colchester United. After four years with QPR, he was released by the club in 2021, before signing for Salford on a short-term contract. He would go on to play for Crawley Town, Walsall again and The New Saints before signing for Braintree in 2025.
Walsall loan
On 30 January 2019, Oteh joined Walsall on a loan deal until the end of the 2018–19 season. Walsall manager Dean Keates described Oteh as a player with “really good pedigree”, and credited QPR coach Paul Hall in helping orchestrate the move, with Walsall winning out over Southend United. His first and only goal for the club came on 19 April, when he scored a last minute penalty to equalise in a 1–1 draw with Southend United, helping break The Saddlers six-match losing streak. Walsall were relegated at the end of the season, with local newspaper Express & Star saying he hadn’t had the “desired impact” to help in their survival battle. On 2 September he signed on loan for EFL League Two team Bradford City.
Crawley Town
In February 2022, Oteh joined League Two side Crawley Town on a free transfer following his release by Salford. Manager John Yems expressed his joy at signing Oteh, saying he had a “point to prove”.His first goal for the club came on 8 February, scoring the opening goal in a 3–1 win against Harrogate Town, Crawley’s first ever win over Harrogate.
On 24 July 2023, Oteh returned to Walsall, this time on a permanent transfer from Crawley, where he would go on to score 2 goals in 11 appearances.
Also:
Billy Clifford, Rene Gilmartin, Isaac Hutchinson, Kevin James, Pablo Mills, Karl Hawley, Jack Rose, Mat Sadler…..
Comment if you know any more!!!
Lump On
After the sluggish performance of Saturday and Crawley finally getting a win after 11 games without one….. don’t lump on.
Lump Off
Our overall record against them is pretty even, W5/D9/L4. With 50% being draws, we could be looking at another 0-0. Lump off.
Goal Tally (sponsored by Owly McOwlface)
Daniel Kanu - 14
Aaron Pressley - 4
Evan Weir - 4
Ryan Finnigan - 4
Albert Adomah - 4
Connor Barrett – 3
Jamille Matt - 3
Ricoh Richards - 2
Aden Flint - 2
Courtney Clarke – 2
Priestley Farquharson - 2
Harrison Burke - 1
Charlie Lakin - 1
Jid Okeke - 1
Rico Browne - 1
UTS Match Poll
- Walsall Win
- Draw
- Crawley Win
