CHC 2's remain in 2nd place

Report by Scott Gibbons
Crawley came into this game frustrated off the back of their postponed game last week and hungry for another win to consolidate second in the table; against a St Francis side who beat top-of-the-table Brighton last time out.

Crawley started brightly in a high paced game, the midfield trio of Will Doherty, Hammad Jalal and Karl Bass on top early on, and the movement up front from Scott Gibbons, James Fuller and Rob Payne forcing a change in shape from St Francis.

As the game developed St Francis found a foothold and looked most likely to score, but resolute defending from Ollie Robinson, man-of-the-match Ian Berry, Priyesh Patel and Indy Saraw saw the game scoreless as the half wore on.

The introduction of Seb Watson up front gave Crawley renewed vigour and right back Robinson won the ball and found Gibbons in the 25. He found Watson who sauntered in the D beating two players before finding Fuller who turned in from two yards.

At half time Skipper Gibbons highlighted upon the importance of the next goal, but unfortunately it went to the men in green. Ex 2’s captain Kane Paterson keeping cool to dispatch a short corner.

The game then descended into chaos; tempers frayed and the challenges started to fly in. A couple of smart saves from Lewis Cordingley saw the game stay level, until in the final ten minutes Crawley finally converted some chances.

Gibbons mazy run and smashed pass was made to look good by a simply sublime reverse stick touch beyond the keeper by Watson. He wasn’t done there, seeing a wide short corner effort deflected into his own net by an unfortunate defender. Then the icing on the cake, Watson slid in Gibbons who almost missed the open goal, but managed to save his blushes by turning it in from a yard out.

The result sees Crawley stay second in the league, three points off of Brighton but with a game in hand. Next week is a tricky away game vs South Saxons.