Crawley 1s vs. Worthing 1s

After several weeks struggling with both injury related selection and all-round performance issues Crawley 1st XI returned to winning ways with a solid performance against newly promoted Worthing. The game was an even affair in the opening exchanges, despite the rain lashed conditions meaning it took some time for either team to find any rhythm. Both sides had half chances as some quality entered the game, with balls flashing across goal without a finishing touch at either end.

The work-rate of the Crawley forwards was a feature all game, and they forced numerous errors from the inexperienced Worthing defence. One such turnover saw Reece Banton inches away from the opening goal, and another resulted in the first penalty corner of the game; which did see Crawley take the lead as Kieran Fuller calmly slotted the rebound after his flick was saved. Although Crawley didn’t create many more chances after this their defence comfortably soaked up the limited attacks Worthing had and Crawley took a one goal advantage into the half time interval.

The second half was a more frantic affair, with the play becoming stretched as Worthing pushed hard for an equalising goal. Crawley had chances to extend their lead early on however as Banton struck a post and Thomas Jarvis saw a shot go narrowly wide. Worthing grew into the game and some skilful play from their midfield spurred them on to an extended period of pressure. Crawley weathered this storm thanks to some excellent defensive work from Hasan Yousaf and James Innes, and a number of superb saves from keeper Chris White.

With the Worthing attack blunted Crawley regained a measure of control and soon scored the all-important second goal. A Worthing penalty corner was well saved by White and a fantastic break saw Crawley move the ball quickly from one end to the other and find Seb Watson, who showed immense composure to round the Worthing keeper and hold off a defender before slotting home. With Worthing deflated by this Crawley saw the game home without incident. The final quarter saw Steve Innes in particular displaying excellent composure whilst controlling things from an unfamiliar central role, and James Murphy running the tired Worthing defence ragged with his usual skills and trickery. The final whistle saw a first clean sheet of the season and another three points on the board for Crawley.

Crawley: White, Brightwell (c), Yousaf, J. Innes, Kirkham, Banton, S. Innes, Fuller, Jarvis, Murphy, MacCoailte, Watson.

MOM: Seb Watson
DOD: Reece Banton