The day started with controversy on both sides, an overly eager Holcombe side arriving early at the wrong venue allowed them for plenty of warm up time. Brendan the Crawley captain had the novelty of a 15 man squad, despite Danny Evans dropping out due to his thoracic injury and associated shortness of breath.

This lead to some difficult choices in terms of starting line up, a questionable decision to leave Joe “Scaphoid” Radoux on the bench was made, this decision confused a number of the Crawley side.

The game started at a fast pace with both sides looking to drive at one another early, the defences on both sides remaining strong, Crawley were able to make good progress with their passing especially when attacking down the wings, but alas could not deliver the end product of a goal.
Crawley were only able to earn a single short corner, Joe Radoux with a “venomous” (lob) flick heading for top corner forced a good save from the Holcombe keeper. Strong defence limited Holcombe’s chances and the first half fizzled out with the scoreline at 0-0

Crawley started the second half at a high tempo however a misplaced pass from Reece Banton lead to a Holcombe counter attack, the fast pace left the centre backs dumbfounded with more nutmegs witnessed than an on episode of soccer AM, the Holcombe attacker found himself 1v1 with Luke Murphy the Crawley keeper, the Holcombe striker managed to roll it past Luke into the near corner.

Crawley clearly felt that this goal was against the run of play and it turned out to be the spark that ignited the Crawley engine.

Crawley made use of the substitutes available and after some good passing created opportunities although none were clear cut with lots of shooting from difficult angles.

The frustration told as the Hockey rage entered a number of the Crawley players, this resulted in some unnecessary cards and fouls.

Thankfully for Crawley the equaliser came after Fuller expertly intercepted a Holcombe pass feeding Steve “Jiggy” innes who’s pass-shot found Jonny Reigate who calmly found the back board.

With the score at 1-1 Crawley felt this was a game they could earn the 3 points in. The pressure was piled on to Holcombe for the remainder of the half, with 2 minutes left to go some fine skills from Reece Banton won a short corner. Fuller stepped up and forced a good save, the ball came out to James “jimbo” innes who’s shot was deflected so high it came down with snow on it, as the ball fell into a dangerous area a second short was given, this gave Kieran Fuller another opportunity, this was not one that he would pass up firing a flick low and hard into the bottom left corner.

Crawley with time on their side held out to secure a 2-1 victory.

Next week the side are away to 3rd placed Blackheath & Elthamians 2