Too Little Too Late for Crawley

With Storm Imogen incoming, CHC M1s had to safely negotiate their way on the blustery motorway to Ashford as their first challenge of the day. Both sides have only picked up 1 point since the Christmas break and it was sure to be a hard fought battle in deepest Kent.

Crawley had a strong wind blowing from behind them in the first half and some early aerials from Kieran Fuller at right back were causing the Ashford defenders some trouble as the Crawley forwards were running into space to collect the overhead pass enabling them to run with the ball into the D. An early short corner was the reward for this pressure but Kieran Fuller fired wide to the left of the goal.

As the first half continued, Ashford began battling the wind and battling back to create 2 or 3 breakaway opportunities in which they missed the target and had an effort saved on the line. Eventually the home team broke the deadlock with a counter attack and 3 quick passes to deflect home from the penalty spot. Crawley continued their push to draw level and Reece Banton took a ball to the face as it bounced up of the defender's foot leaving the Crawley forward needing steri-strips before being able to continue.

The second half meant that Ashford now had the wind at their backs and nullified Crawley's aerial threat, with an overhead from Mark Brightwell holding up and only managing to travel 15 yards. The away team were in search of an equaliser but Ashford doubled their lead with a break from the left fired into the middle, the initial shot saved well by Jamie Westwood but the forward reaching the rebound first to take the game further from Crawley. Shortly after this, an exchange of words between keeper Jamie Westwood and the umpire resulted in the goalkeeper receiving a green card and 2 minute spell in the sin bin. Kieran Fuller duly assumed the role of kicking back but Ashford were unable to exploit this opportunity. Once back to 11 men, the Sussex side were able to build pressure and create opportunities and with some impressive skill from James Murphy, won 2 quick short corners. The first was shot wide of the goal but Crawley improvised with a double movement at the top for the scond, Fuller shooting from the left, parried by the keeper to Reece Banton who slotted home on the right post.

The final 10 minutes saw Crawley playing with some more confidence and ferocity, continually attacking down both left and right channels but Ashford, with 11 men behind the ball were able to snuff out any signs of an equaliser from the away team and the match finished as the sides met in Crawley.

Captain Alex Watson spoke after the game, "It was our best performance since Christmas and really frustrating to come away with no points from a game we felt we dominated throughout. The back 3 looked solid and the work rate from the forwards was brilliant today. We will continue to put the work in at training to hopefully change our fortunes next week at home to Gore Court."

Squad:
Jamie Westwood (GK)
Kieran Fuller
Hasan Yousaf
Mark Brightwell
Alex Watson (C)
Carl Wright
Baz Ahmedi
Brendan Maccaoilte
James Murphy
Rob Gate
Reece Banton

Subs:
Steve Innes
James Innes

Complete Tyre Services Man of the Match: James Murphy