Crawley 1s vs. Eastbourne 1s

A new look Crawley side began the league season at home with a fine performance and excellent win over Eastbourne.

The game began with both sides sharing periods of comfortable possession, but it was Eastbourne who took an early lead with a composed close range finish to complete their first serious attack. Crawley however remained positive and began to dominate proceedings. An intense, skilful and high energy display saw Crawley totally turn the game around and head into half time with a 4-1 lead. A penalty stroke from Steve Innes brought parity to the game after an excellent break by Carl Wright and Rob Gate, before Keiran Fuller put together a fine first half hat-trick with two well taken team goals and a trademark finish from a short corner.

The second half began in the same fashion with Crawley’s quality, energy and pressing causing numerous problems for Eastbourne, and the reward for this seemed to be coming as some sublime 3D skills from Steve Innes won another penalty stroke, however this was saved well by the Eastbourne keeper. This seemed to instil some belief back into Eastbourne, and aided by fatigue and some basic errors they forced a nail biting finale with two scrappy goals in the last few minutes. Crawley made it over the line however thanks to a pair of fine short corner saves from keeper Chris White and some strong hold up play by Reece Banton and Jonny Reigate. A thoroughly deserved opening day win in the end, with the score-line flattering the visitors.

Crawley: White, J. Innes, Yousaf, Brightwell(c), Wright, Reigate, Evans, MacCoailte, Murphy, Fuller, Gate, Banton, S. Innes.