Crawley Town face a key early-season trip to Rochdale this weekend as both sides search for their first League Two points of the 2026/27 campaign. The match at the Crown Oil Arena comes after a turbulent start for the Reds, who sit 15th in the table with three points from two games, having scored and conceded two goals so far this term.
Colin Kazim-Richards's side began the season with a 1-0 Carabao Cup win at York City but then suffered a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Crewe Alexandra in the league, a match that saw two Crawley players sent off. That result left the club still looking for its first league goal. The focus is now squarely on getting the season on track away from home.
The opening weeks have been a mixed bag. While the cup victory provided a positive start, the league opener against Crewe Alexandra was a setback. The 1-0 loss, compounded by two red cards, means Crawley Town begin this weekend three points behind early leaders Barnet in the title race. The club's current form reads WL.
Manager Colin Kazim-Richards, the 39-year-old former striker appointed to his first managerial role on 12th May 2026, has overseen a significant squad overhaul. Fifteen new players arrived in the summer, including goalkeepers Jackson Izquierdo and Nicholas Michalski, defenders Omari Mrisho and Priestley Farquharson, and forwards Osman Kamara and Pemi Aderoju. This fresh group is tasked with improving on last season's narrow escape, where Crawley retained their Football League status with a final-day point against Salford City.
The historical record slightly favours Crawley Town, with three wins from six meetings against Rochdale's two, and one draw. The most recent clash was a 2-0 Crawley victory at home in March 2023. Their first ever meeting back in September 2014 ended in a 4-0 win for Rochdale. One subplot involves Rochdale defender Laurence Maguire, now 29, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with Crawley in 2023. He scored on his debut away at Stockport County and was part of the side that secured promotion to League One via the playoffs at Wembley, beating Crewe Alexandra. Other players to have featured for both clubs include Ernie Cooksey, Keith Keane, and Jon Shaw.
Colin Kazim-Richards brings a wealth of playing experience from clubs like Bury and Derby County to his debut managerial post. He signed a new deal with Crawley in May 2026 after previously working within Arsenal's academy setup from 2024. His immediate challenge is to mould a largely new squad into a cohesive unit. Last season's top league scorer Harry McKirdy, who netted eight times, remains a key figure as the team looks to start finding the net. The full list of summer arrivals is available on our squad page.
This match represents an early opportunity to reset. Avoiding back-to-back relegations last season was a relief, and the club's one-season stint in League One remains their highest level in a decade. Their famous 8-1 aggregate playoff win over MK Dons is a reminder of their potential. The immediate goal is clear: score a first league goal and secure a first league win. The officials for the weekend fixture are Referee Zac Kennard-Kettle, with assistants Samuel Clayton and Simon Robinson and Fourth Official Mark Cunliffe.
