Crawley HC XI 3 Southwick HC XI 2

Report by Steve Innes
It was a wet and windy afternoon in worth, both teams wondering how the weather would affect their respective performances.

Crawley came out full of energy in the opening minutes and had the majority of possession as Southwick had a game plan to sit back and soak up pressure.

Despite all of the possession Crawley wasted a few good chances created, Eliot Hooley-Jones found himself with only the keeper to beat after some good skills but unfortunately miss timed his shot.

Crawley kept the ball well at the back and finally created a couple of clear cut chances, Steve Innes found himself with the ball in the opposition 25 after a long pass from defence with Kieran Fuller and Seb Watson up in support and only one Southwick defender and the goalkeeper to beat after a slick 1-2 with Watson Innes had a strike on goal that was saved on the line by the defender who had got back but the ball flew up in the air and Fuller expertly controlled it down and scored with an emphatic finish.

It was much of the same for Crawley, who were keeping possession well and trying to create chances against a Southwick team who were determined to defend.

A miscommunication and sloppy mistake in defence saw Southwick score with their first chance of the game, a tap in at the back post. Half time 1-1 and Crawley unlucky to have conceded and not scored plenty more.

Crawley knew that more of the same would lead to some chances being created and some excellent work in midfield by Reece Banton saw Crawley break down the left with Steve Innes receiving the ball out wide and playing a pin point pass to Kieran Fuller in the area to have one touch and finish calmly past the keeper.

Crawley in control, again let themselves down when a pass into midfield saw Southwick intercept and break away with three players and despite Luke Murphy’s best efforts in goal with a save still managed to score and bring the sides level.

After getting themselves level again Southwick dropped deeper into their own half to try and protect the point they might earn.

Crawley undeterred by the recent set back kept pushing for the win, some good play from Joe Radoux on the right and Mark Brightwell on the left lead to some chances but Crawley ended up frustrated by a bad touch or good Southwick defending.

The breakthrough finally came only a few minutes from the end, Radoux continued his good work down the right to find Dan Evans in midfield who in turn played the ball to Jonny Reigate in the circle, Reigate controlled the ball and spun to strike in one movement and found the bottom corner with aplomb, Crawley back in the lead with only five minutes to go.

Crawley held strong for the win to the delight of the home fans, your support is always appreciated by the boys.

Onto an away game against Mid Sussex next week in what should be another close encounter.

Murphy, Brightwell, J.Innes, Kellaher, Radoux, Banton, Reigate, Carter, Hooley-Jones, Fuller, S.Innes
Subs - Evans, Watson
Scorers - Fuller x2, Reigate
MOM - Reigate
DOD - Kellaher