Sunday point for CHC Men's 2s

Report by Scott Gibbons

Crawley found themselves in the unusual situation of playing on a Sunday for their rearranged game away at Mid Sussex.

Crawley started brightly against a much changed Middies side, early pressure by Hammad Jalal and Will Doherty in the midfield allowing Karl Bass to pick out Rob Payne again and again. Payne expertly carved out a few chances for man-of-the-match Scott Gibbons, but he had shots saved by the excellent keeper and miraculously cleared off of the line by the defender.

Unfortunately Crawley then lost Jalal to injury and his dynamic running was missed in the middle of the park. Jay Tee Carter and Elliott Hooley-Jones provided skill and endeavour in the midfield and Simon Teale and Jonny Rowtcliff were excellent getting forward from full back.

However; despite their dominance, Crawley went behind, a Mid Sussex short corner somehow evading Lewis Cordingley in goal. Some good pressure was then repelled by Ian Berry and Indy Saraw at the back and despite some Crawley short corners, they went in 1-0 behind.

The second half Crawley came out fighting. "Masters" Jason Carter on and marshalling the backline and Crawley throwing the kitchen sink at the home side. Gibbons was wasteful on a few occasions, Payne had and effort saved and Jay Tee Carter hit the post from a tight angle. They also racked up the short corners, but a mixture of bad injections and fantastic saves saw Bass thwarted time and again. On the counter Crawley had Berry to thank time and again for standing solid and keeping them in with a shout.
But when all hope looked lost and it seemed it wouldn’t be Crawley’s day; in the final minute, Jason Carter used his "seasons" of experience to win the ball and pick out Bass. Bass’ mazy dribble and excellent reverse hit was saved by the keeper but the skipper Gibbons was in the right place to throw himself at the rebound and slide in a reverse sweep from the tightest of angles.

Crawley had given everything and possibly deserved more than a draw but at the final whistle they were out on their feet and walked away with a very hard earned point.

A big thank you needs to go to Chris Rockingham (and his wife for letting him out) for giving up his Sunday to umpire.

Crawley Squad: Gibbons, Cordingley, Berry, Saraw, J Carter, Rowtcliff, Teale, Jalal, Doherty, Bass, Payne, JT Carter, Hooley-Jones
MOM: Gibbons
DOD: Regaite - AWOL