2's hit seven

Report by Scott Gibbons
Crawley looked to bounce back to winning ways, after the disappointing defeat the previous week.

Crawley started brightly with Carlos Wright and Reece Banton controlling the pace of the game in the midfield, with Rob Payne and Hammad Jalal providing excellent outlets on the wings.
Crawley eventually found the breakthrough when Karl Bass wriggled through on the right and picked out skipper, Scott Gibbons, he took a touch and rifled a finish past the static keeper. Kieran Fuller was a constant threat to the Hailsham backline and his presence caused problems. Gibbons capitalised on this to unselfishly square for Bass to turn into the empty net.

Hailsham grew into the game, but the Crawley back three of Ian Berry, Jack Mulcahy and Nick Bennett were excellent and goalie Lewis Cordingley solid when called upon; meaning the game stayed at 2-0 at half time.

The second half saw Crawley on the front foot again. JT Carter showing his versatility and adjusting aptly when called upon in defence and midfield. The maroon tide swept forward, Fuller converted a short corner that was too powerful for the keeper and Bass also expertly converted another short.

At the other end Bennett showed his bravery, executing a perfect, Ian Berry-esq sliding challenge to deny the opposition forward. Unfortunately Crawley suffered a series of injuries, Banton unable to continue after being hit by a high ball, Wright taking a hit to the knee and Gibbons barely able to move upfront (so nothing new there!).

Despite this Crawley were the only side looking likely to score again. Bass grabbed the goal of the game. Spotting the keeper had moved off his line, he received Payne’s ball and crashed the shot into the top corner off of the inside of the post. Not content with this, Crawley grabbed another beauty; Wright with the inch perfect through ball and Fuller with the brilliant first time finish. The goal glut continued with another quality finish. Despite being injured, Gibbons picked up the ball and hammered a hit past the keeper to make it 7-0. It could have been 8-0 but the final whistle came a second before Gibbons’ cute deflection from Fuller’s pass.

Crawley travel to Eastbourne late next week, hoping to remain 2nd in the league.

Crawley squad: Gibbons, Cordingley, Bennett, Berry, J Mulcahy, Carter, Wright, Banton, Jalal, Payne, Bass, K Fuller