There's something special about a pre-season friendly, isn't there? It’s that first real taste of football after the summer break, and the clash between Crawley Town and Crystal Palace at Broadfield Stadium has become a bit of a summer tradition. With away tickets completely sold out and a big walk-up crowd expected, the atmosphere was buzzing for this one, which also happened to be Crawley's final test before their league campaign begins.
Key Highlights
- ✓ This was Crawley Town's final pre-season match before kicking off their season away at Grimsby Town.
- ✓ Crystal Palace are coming off a record-breaking Premier League season, securing their highest-ever 53 points.
- ✓ The match at Broadfield Stadium was a sell-out, continuing a summer tradition between the two clubs.
- ✓ In the previous two pre-season meetings, Palace had secured dominant 4-0 and 6-3 victories over Crawley.
- ✓ The final score of this friendly encounter was a hard-fought 0-0 draw.
A Tale of Two Very Different Seasons
When you look at these two clubs, you see two very different stories from the past year. For Crawley, the 2024/25 season was a tough one. After earning promotion from League Two, they found themselves back in the challenging environment of League One. Unfortunately, they couldn't quite find their footing and ended up finishing 21st, which meant a heartbreaking relegation back to the fourth tier.
Despite winning their final three games of the season, it just wasn't enough to turn the tide. The good news for the Red Devils is that manager Scott Lindsey is remaining in the hotseat, tasked with leading the charge for an instant return to the third tier. This pre-season has been a real mixed bag for them, with big wins over non-league sides but tough losses against Hearts, Portsmouth, and a young Southampton team.
The High-Flying Eagles
On the other side of the pitch, you have Crystal Palace, a team flying high with massive expectations. Under the guidance of Oliver Glasner in his first full year, the Eagles had a phenomenal season. They achieved their highest-ever Premier League points total, a whopping 53 points, from 13 wins, 14 draws, and 11 defeats. It was a perfectly balanced performance, scoring 51 goals and conceding 51.
As last season's Emirates FA Cup winners, they’re not just looking to compete; they’re aiming for the top six and a real splash on the continent. Their schedule is packed, with a trip to Wembley for the Community Shield against Liverpool and a two-legged Conference League playoff after what was described as an "unjust demotion from the Europa League." This friendly was just their second of the summer, following a 1-0 win over Millwall.
On-Pitch Battles and Past History
This match was Crawley's first and only pre-season game at their home ground, the Broadfield Stadium. Their other scheduled home friendly against Portsmouth had to be cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch after some heavy rain. That match was eventually played behind closed doors, ending in a 1-0 defeat for the Red Devils. So, having a packed stadium for the Palace game was a huge boost for the players and fans.
History, however, was not on Crawley’s side. This is the third year in a row that Palace has visited, and the previous two encounters were tough lessons. On July 19, 2023, Palace ran out clear 4-0 winners. Before that, it was a 6-3 thriller that also went the way of the Premier League side. The Eagles have always provided a serious test, and fans flock to see some of the Premier League's biggest stars up close.
Team News and Key Players
For Crawley, there was a lot of focus on the new man between the sticks. Harvey Davies, who came in on loan from Liverpool, is set to be the club's number one keeper, especially with Jojo Wollacott recovering from injury. While Joy Mukena was also on the sidelines, the team saw Josh Flint, Harry Forster, and Louie Watson all recover from knocks they picked up during pre-season. It was also great to see Jay Williams back at the club after his time at MK Dons.
Palace, meanwhile, were looking to build on their solid start to the summer. Their only previous friendly was that win over Millwall, where Jesurun Rak-Sakyi netted the only goal. This match was another crucial step in their preparations before they face FC Augsburg in Austria, and then get into the really serious business of the Community Shield and their European adventure.
Why These "Friendlies" Really Matter
It’s easy to dismiss these games as "just friendlies," since the results don't count towards any official titles or league tables. But here's the thing: they are incredibly important. For a team like Crawley, it's a chance to test themselves against top-tier opposition and see where they stand before the long, grueling season begins away at Grimsby Town on August 2nd.
These matches are the perfect opportunity for managers like Scott Lindsey and Oliver Glasner to get their players back into a competitive rhythm. They can test new strategies, see how new signings like Harvey Davies fit into the group, and give valuable minutes to young players. It’s a vital part of the physical and tactical preparation that sets the foundation for the entire season ahead.
Conclusion
In the end, as the final whistle blew at a packed Broadfield Stadium, the scoreboard read Crawley Town 0 - 0 Crystal Palace. After the heavy defeats of previous years, holding a high-flying, record-breaking Premier League team to a goalless draw is a massive result for Crawley. It’s the kind of strong, resilient display that Scott Lindsey would have been hoping for to cap off their pre-season and build confidence. For Palace, it was another solid run-out as they build towards a season filled with immense promise. All in all, it was a fantastic evening of football that proved this summer fixture is much more than just a friendly.
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