Kevin Blackwell has told his Crawley Town players to chase an FA Cup dream as they prepare for a first-round tie against non-league opposition. The interim manager, who took charge after Colin Kazim-Richards was dismissed last month, wants the competition to provide a welcome distraction from a difficult league campaign.
Blackwell said the magic of the cup offers a chance to escape the pressures of League Two, where Crawley currently sit 24th with just nine points from 12 games. "It takes you away from the league and it allows you to dream a little bit," he told reporters this week. The Reds travel to face Wimborne Town of the Southern League Premier Division South, a side playing three divisions below them.
Blackwell's cup experience
The 67-year-old manager knows what a cup run can mean, having been assistant manager at Sheffield United when they reached an FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2003. He referenced David Seaman's famous save that day as an example of the fine margins and lasting memories the competition creates. Blackwell believes his current squad can create their own history, even as they battle at the foot of the table, 22 points behind leaders Salford City.
Crawley have a notable FA Cup pedigree themselves, reaching the fifth round in both 2011 and 2012, famously taking Manchester United close at Old Trafford. More recently, they stunned Leeds United with a 3-0 win in the fourth round in 2021. Their form in the competition since that run has been poor, however, with just one win in their last seven FA Cup matches.
Grinding out a result
With league survival the clear priority, Blackwell stressed the importance of a professional performance. "If we have to grind it out, we will do that," he stated, adding a warning about complacency. "If I see anybody take liberties they will soon know about it." The team heads into the match off the back of a morale-boosting 1-0 win at Oldham last weekend, a result that ended a four-game winless run in the league. Danilo Orsi scored the only goal in that victory, which forms part of a recent record of one win, two draws and two losses from their last five outings.
Their next League Two fixture is a key trip to face 22nd-placed Rotherham on November 14, a six-pointer in the relegation battle. Before that, Blackwell hopes a positive result at Wimborne can build momentum. The full schedule of upcoming league games is available on the club's fixtures page. A cup run would not only boost confidence but also provide valuable financial rewards for a club fighting on all fronts. Blackwell's message is clear: in the FA Cup, anything is possible.
