Unfortunately Crawley had a bare 11 after losing 3 players on the day for various reasons and faced a determined start from Saxons; who started brightly. A flurry of short corners ensued and keeper Gary Thornton could only parry the ball out to the waiting attacker to convert from close range.

Crawley were thrown a lifeline when a Saxons player was given a yellow card for a truly horrific challenge on Stuart Donaldson; who for the challenge and resulting back chat managed to spend the entire half on the side lines. Crawley found a foothold in the game, Will McCaffery and Scott Mansfield tirelessly running on the wings and Lewis Clark and Donaldson beginning to find more joy through the middle. Man of the Match, Dom Stowell; returning after more than three years out with injury, looked bright, seeing Dave Orpin touch a goal bound effort wide, before he found Orpin with a delightful through ball who dispatched into the bottom corner.

The defence looked assured with Alex Foxcroft and Chris Hards getting forward well and Jason Carter and Ollie Robinson looking solid at the back and at half time an even game was 1-1.

The second half saw Saxons return to eleven men and this counted for them. Scoring twice early on in the second half. Crawley showed excellent fight and dug deep to keep themselves in the contest, with Orpin winning a penalty flick, which he put agonisingly wide. Again Stowell looked dangerous and the midfield ran themselves into the ground, but alas they were unable to find the finishing touch.

Crawley go again next week, away against Lewes 4’s.

Crawley squad: Thornton, Foxcroft, Hards, Carter, Robinson, Clark, McCaffery, Donaldson, S Mansfield, Stowell, Orpin