Marlow Hat-trick ensures Crawley Romp to Victory in Sussex Cup

Sussex Mens 2nd XI Cup - St Francis 1 - 9 Crawley - Saturday 19th September 3pm @ The Triangle

Crawley went into the game with a mixture of familiar faces and some new blood to take on their first competitive game of the season.

Crawley started the game well and were constantly pressuring the St Francis 23 without being able to capitalise and turn the opportunities into goals. The breakthrough came from a solo effort from Alex Coote who ran from an intercepted pass on the half way line around 4 plays to precisely finish with a reverse shot. This then gave Crawley something to build on and they started finding lots of space down the wings and a cool deflection in front of goal by Gary Marlow saw the score double very quickly. Dan Burnham then made it 3 with a great team goal followed by a typical James Fuller PC just before half to take the score to 4-0 at the break.

Crawley were told at half time to win more 50-50 balls and to get the ball under control before looking for the next pass. Crawley started the stronger after the break with Gary Marlow getting his second from a very tight angle. St Francis then started applying some pressure with Crawley pressing forward and managed to get a very lucky goal that took a big deflection to just sneak past the Crawley keeper White. Crawley responded to this by getting 3 goals in quick succession. A tight angle goal by Kane Paterson, a back post tap in for Dan Burnham for his second and sublime reverse shot from the middle of the D by Captain Chris Rockingham. A final goal for Marlow saw him get his hat-trick.

Crawley Skipper Chris Rockingham commented saying "it was a great performance today by the lads with some players who have not played at this level. Simon Teale and Ewan Parker stepped up from Junior hockey. and a few men's games, to make a real difference. They worked really hard and will set them in good stead for the season with 3s/4s. We have lots of areas to work on before the start of our season on the 3rd October but this is a real confidence booster and step in the right direction for the team."

The next round will be against East Grinstead Mens 2s with the date to be confirmed.

Team: Chris White (GK), James Fuller, Ian Berry, Chris Rockingham (C), Kane Paterson, Dan Burnham, Alex Coote, Russell Hales, Gary Marlow, Simon Teale, Ewan Parker, Ollie Robinson.
Goals: Marlow (3), Burnham (2), Coote, Fuller, Paterson, Rockingham
MOTM: Gary Marlow (Hat-trick)
DOTD: Gary Marlow (Left without buying a Jug!)