7-2 win away vs Lewes 4's

Report by Scott Gibbons

Crawley 2’s travelled to Falmer for a late away game against Lewes.

Crawley started on the back foot and Lewes had an early breakthrough. A well worked short corner routine seeing Lewis Cordingley‘s goal breached inside the opening minutes.

However Crawley were soon back into the game. Karl Bass slamming home a flick from a short corner. Soon they were ahead, Bass dribbling past a number of defenders and crashing in a vicious, reverse stick shot.

Crawley continued to hold firm from Lewes attacks, Indy Saraw and Ian Berry solid in defence and Jay Tee Carter and Nick Bennett offering cover, as well as an outlet to go forwards. Will Doherty, Reuben Crawford and man-of-the-match Elliott Hooley-Jones worked well breaking up attacks and excellently supporting Bass going the other way too.

This good midfield work lead to Crawley adding a third before the break, Rob Payne combing with Doherty on the right, who picked out James Fuller with an excellent ball. Fuller hammering home a first-time sweep that had far too much power for the Lewes goalie.

At half time captain, Scott Gibbons asked for a fast start and that is what he got. Hooley-Jones intercepted a Lewes pass and kept a cool head to find Payne. Payne skilfully stepped beyond a defender and slid a perfect ball to Gibbons who fired a savage shot into the roof of the net.

Unfortunately, soon after, Lewes struck back with another short corner goal that Cordingley was unable to keep out. Fortunately for the away side though, Bass wasn’t done yet; Fuller showing the composure to slip him in at a short corner for the big guy to complete a well deserved hattrick.

Crawley were again on the back foot though with Berry showing his usual high levels of bravery at a short corner, but he was unable to stop the ball legally; resulting in a Lewes penalty flick. However, keeper Cordingley is beginning to get a reputation for saving flicks (just ask K Sports) and he produced a magnificent save to preserve Crawley’s lead.

After this reprieve Crawley never looked in real danger again. Crawford linking well with Gibbons, who smashed another scorcher into the net from the top D. And finally Hooley-Jones put the gloss on the win, going past defenders like they weren’t there, exchanging passes with Fuller and then showing composure beyond his years to coolly slot beyond the goalie; a just reward for his efforts today.

Crawley showed character, resolve and a whole lot of skill to see off a tricky opposition, but a big test awaits them next week when they play a revitalised East Grinstead, who sit 4th in the league.