Report by Scott Gibbons
Crawley 3’s came into this game seeking their first win of the season against an Eastbourne team that had slid down the table in the last few weeks.
Crawley started brightly, round in the midfield by Liam Mulcahy and Nick Bennett pushing the maroon tide forward, and the early pressure told with Reuben Crawford smashing into the top corner with a vicious strike. The lead was soon doubled with Oli Hendon crashing home a hit from the top of the D.
Crawley played with confidence, full backs Alex Foxcroft and man-of-the-match Jonny Rowtcliff marauding forward at every chance and Ben Lyon and Ewan Parker looking solid at the back.
It was three before half time when another Mulcahy run found him in the D and he kept his composure to sweep past the keeper. The only blog on the copybook come just before half time when Eastbourne crosses from the right and tapped home beyond goalie Gary Thornton.
A flurry of goals came on the second half. Will McCaffery always looked a threat and he combined with Crawford who grabbed his second of the game. Mulcahy ran through the defence again and again and convert two excellent solo goals and complete his hattrick.
Skipper for the day, Bennett showed excellent persistence to score a scrappy goal and Rowtcliff and McCaffery combined to set up Hendon who made no mistake from six yards out. Finally, Mulcahy set up Mansfield who swept home from close range.
9-1 in no way flattered Crawley who dominated from start to finish and move within a point of their opponents. They travel to winless Worthing 5’s next week in a classic relegation six pointer.
Crawley squad:
Bennett, Thornton, Foxcroft, Rowtcliff, Parker, Lyon, Mulcahy, Hendon, Crawford, McCaffery, Mansfield