Worthing 1's vs Crawley 1's

SKIPPER Alex Watson believes Crawley’s second half performance may have been a turning point in their season as they close in on the Division Two title.

Two goals down at the break, Crawley turned the game on its head in the second half to beat Worthing 3-2 and Watson believes that is down to the realisation that league titles are “hard earned”.

“This was not a good start to the game from us we were far too complacent early on,” the skipper explained. “You have to give them credit, they drew up a decent game plan and we could not break them down in the first half.

“In the second half, we were much better, moving the ball faster and supporting each other more.
“These are the games you have to win in order to try to win a league.

“I think at half-time we realised that you aren’t just given promotions and league titles – they are hard earned and we had to work hard.

“The eventual outcome was what we needed the game was very scruffy from our point of view and we must improve before the big game against Holcombe next week.”

The game started off very well for the home side as they pressed Crawley and particularly keeper Jamie Westwood.

The hosts took the lead from a short corner and the Worthing player at the top of the circle managed to get away a reverse stick shot away which went in to make it 1-0.

Worthing looked to play most of their hockey on the break and they added to their lead when the ball broke free and, after a defensive hesitation in the Crawley ranks, they scored.

After some inspiration at half-time from manager Keith Frimley, the second half started much better for Crawley.

But with the pressure building the visitors had a couple of sin-bins which they could have done without as Alex Watson and then Brendan Maccaoilte went to the sin-bin.

However, Crawley regrouped and Reece Banton made good progress down the left wing, finding Seb Watson in the circle. He kept the ball in with a slide and turned almost in one motion to square to Steve Innes to smash into an empty goal.

This was soon followed by the equaliser as Crawley turned up the pressure. Worthing started to crack and Carl Wright took advantage to tie the game up at

2-2.

A short-corner routine found Innes unmarked to smash the ball into the goal for Crawley’s third in the space on less than ten minutes.

Crawley play Holcombe away on Saturday in a top-of-the-table clash before facing a cup fixture on Sunday.

“We travel to Holcombe on Saturday in what may prove a winner-takes-all battle for the league and then welcome Ludlow on Sunday,” he said. “Please, if you’re about, come down and support us and take the game in on Sunday at Hazelwick school – it’s a 1pm start.”