Mens 2's
Matches
Sat 08 Jan 2022  ·  Martlets Men's Division 2
Lewes 4
7
7
Crawley Hockey Club
Mens 2's
Men's 2s secure an away point in 7-7 draw

Men's 2s secure an away point in 7-7 draw

CHC News19 Jan 2022 - 12:32
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Hattricks from Karl Bass & Seb Watson, goal from Scott Gibbons

The 2’s travelled to Lewes in the pouring rain for their controversially rearranged fixture.

Crawley started brightly, with Rob Payne and Elliott Hooley-Jones looking bright upfront and Man-of-the-match Karl Bass pulling the strings in midfield. However; very much against the run of the play in the opening minutes, Lewes countered and scored. Chris White saving once but powerless to stop the follow up.

Crawley rallied and deservedly found an equaliser, Bass exchanging passes with skipper, Scott Gibbons before dispatching past the Lewes keeper. The rain lashed down which made conditions difficult, with this day already looking like one to be a forward and not a defender. The back four for Crawley looked isolated at times and despite the usual committed display from Ian Berry, Jason Carter using his experience and Priyesh Patel and Ollie Robinson looking to provide support from the wide areas, Lewes had a purple patch in front of goal and everything they hit seemed to fly in. In the blink of an eye a shell shocked Crawley found themselves 4-1 behind, it would have been 5 had White not pulled off a save-of-the-season contender; readjusting his feet superbly to deny the Lewes forward a certain goal.

At 4-1 Crawley could have let their heads drop, but the tireless work of Will Doherty and Liam Mulcahy in midfield began to help turn the tide. Bass chucked a trademark aerial which Payne excellently brought under control and fired across goal. Seb Watson’s first touch to stop the ball was good, but his finish was even better and the deficit at the break was down to two goals.

Gibbons demanded more fight from his team at half time and that’s exactly what he got. Lewes penned back and the pressure finally telling when Watson forced a flick home from a well worked short corner for 4-3. Then they were level, Mulcahy unfortunate to be denied by the goalkeeper, but Gibbons was able to keep the ball in play and have the composure to turn and sweep the ball past the despairing defenders.

But then this topsy turvy game turned again. Alex Foxcroft receiving a green card for an awful challenge and Lewes gratefully took advantage to retake the lead at 5-4. The momentum with them and not even the downpour dampening their spirits, Lewes struck again twice more; opening up a seemingly unassailable 7-4 lead. But this Crawley side don’t know when they’re beaten. Bass with the moment of the game; taking on the world and his dog with mesmerizing stick skill before thundering an unstoppable bullet into the top corner. A goal so good that even the opposition admitted it was a worldie and more importantly the score was 7-5.

The game became frantic. Foxcroft collecting a harsh, second green for knocking the ball away and Doherty also earning a sit-down for a robust challenge in the midfield. However, a Bass, short corner; earned by some ridiculous stick-skill by Hooley-Jones, was stopped by a body on the line and a P flick was awarded. Despite mind games from the keeper, Bass crashed home his hattrick, confidently hammering the flick past the keeper’s head for 7-6.

It seemed however that Crawley would fall agonisingly short. Lewes rallied and if it was not for Patel twice clearing off of the line then all hope would have been lost. And so with the last seconds of the game Crawley pushed for the unlikeliest of levellers. A short corner won right on the final whistle ensured there would be a grandstand finale. One final play to rescue a point. Bass’ flick was well saved and Gibbons followed up, with his shot stopped by a body on the line and when everybody looked towards the umpire for a decision, Watson was the the coolest man on the pitch. Seizing his opportunity he powered the ball home to secure a truly ridiculous 7-7 draw; completing a deserved hattrick at the same time.

Crawley were jubilant to have snatched a point late on and left Lewes happy and full of good teas to boot! Next week the 2’s travel to Hailsham, hoping to carry their momentum from this frantic finish forward!

Crawley team: White, Gibbons (c), Berry, Carter, Patel, Robinson, Foxcroft, Doherty, Bass, Mulcahy, Watson, Payne, Hooley-Jones

Match details

Match date

Sat 08 Jan 2022

Kickoff

13:30

Competition

Martlets Men's Division 2

League position

4
Crawley 2
11
Lewes 4
Team overview
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