Southwick Men's 1's vs Crawley Men's 1's

Crawley traveled to Southwick for a second consecutive away game. After a strong start for 4 minutes from the home side Crawley gained control of the game and settled into the match.

Crawley produced some quick and exciting attacking play with some strong play from the midfielders and attackers and their defence controlling the game.

Crawley pushed forward and had a number of attacks that started from the center backs Brightwell and Haimes, with both Radoux and Ahmedi getting forward from right and left back positions opened the game up for Crawley and enabled the midfield and forwards to push on. A number of chances came and went, most notably a quick shot from Evans from 5 yards out that was “expertly” (luckily) saved on the line by the southwick defender and pushed wide. Crawley continued to dominate and eventually took the lead when some good play down the right from Radoux, Innes and Evans turned into a ball across the area which eventually found its way to Fuller and this time the southwick defender was out of luck and it was fired in.

Crawley continued to control the game, however southwick had a couple of very close chances with hits into the area looking for deflections at the end of the half that on another day could have rifled in.

1-0 halftime.

Second half started in the same vein as Crawley continued to dominate the attacking play , if not the possession. Southwick were kept at bay by a very strong Crawley defence and some good battling tackles from Rigate in midfield.

Crawley missed some more chances, both Watson and Innes should have scored and Crawley were unlucky to not be given a penalty flick as Watson went round the keeper and was upended by a defender before he could finish.

As time went on Southwick became more and more desperate, throwing players forward and going to a long ball game, eventually their pressure paid of but this was mainly due to Crawley starting to panic and not clearing their lines. Southwick were awarded a penalty flick with 2 minutes to go when they found themselves with an extra player in the area, he fired towards goal and despite fullers best efforts it hit his foot on the line, the penalty was taken and Murphy in goal was very unlucky not to save it after a good effort, Murphy had also made a couple of fine saves during the game. Crawley tried one last time to attack the area and gain a short corner or better score, but unfortunately there was not enough time for Crawley to earn a justified win.

Crawley return to Hazlewick next week where they will entertain Canterbury in what will be an entertaining attacking game.

Crawley squad: Murphy, Ahmedi, Radoux, Brightwell, Haimes, Banton, MacColite, Evans, Rigate, Innes, Fuller sub: Watson

Goals - Fuller