Crawley vs Wimbledon

[steveizy]

Crawley town 4 - Oxford United 1

Just over 4,000 people turned up for this match including 1074 from Oxford. Good atmosphere all round

Great result as Crawley continued where they left off last week at Bury! The unchanged team completely outplayed Oxford.

Two goals from Tyrone Barnett in the first quarter of an hour saw The Reds in control. That was until the half-hour mark when a dreadful defensive mix-up, against the run of play, saw Shearer 'mugged' by their Constable for an easy tap in. That goal really was the most dangerous Oxford were in the whole match. Deep in injury time, Drury drove a low shot past their keeper to put us 3-1 at Half Time.

The second half was all Crawley and there could easily three or four more goals but only one of the chances was converted when 'Deano' struck a beautiful free kick - low and hard past their wall, leaving their keeper stranded. 4 -1 .

This win sees Crawley stay in second place in the table, two points behind Southend who just managed to take the points in the derby with Dagenham and Redbridge. D&R 2 - Southend 3. Below Crawley there is a four point gap with Cheltenham in third place.

Next up is away at Rotherham. We're both booked on the coach for this one and looking forward to the long day out and hopefully three points Next at Broadfield is on Saturday 3rd December in the FA Cup when we will play either Oxford City or Redbridge. We will know who after their replay this Tuesday.
COME ON YOU REDS!

[steveizy]

Rotherham 1 Crawley Town 2

Another great day out and coming back with the points, rather luckily, as well as seeing us erode the lead that Southend had at the top of the table to just goal difference!

We departed the Half Moon in Southgate at 8:00AM after a rather tasty bacon and sausage baguette for another long drive 'up north'. After a brief stop at motorway services, mainly to change drivers (coach drivers - like other professional drivers of large vehicles and pilots of aeroplanes have limited hours that they are allowed without rest breaks) we proceeded to the Cross Keys in Castle Donington for a buffet and a few pints. Another lovely old pub that has a bit of a tradition for hosting sports followers - there was a local rugby club coming for a hog roast in their car park later as well as a football team visiting for a curry. Andy & Donna the landlords are busy people and despite being Derby County supporters they hold no grudge for us 'giant-killing' their team in the FA Cup last season Despite being the barmy army, we like our culture too and as it happens there is a piano shop next to the pub. Carolizy' just had to tinkle the ivories with an impromptu rendition of the Maple Leaf Rag on a lovely Yamaha piano that was for sale. Thanks to the owner for being so accommodating to a bunch of football supporters who invaded his shop!

Suitably watered and nourished, we went on to Rotherham (or more accurately Sheffield) to the magnificent 'Don Valley' stadium, Rotherham's temporary home, whilst a new plush stadium is being built in the heart of Rotherham itself. Huge place, very impressive, but not a football stadium!

Athletics stadiums are not really suited to hosting football as the closeness to the game is lost. The running track just puts you too far back from the action and with three quarters of this awesome place unused it means that the fans of both persuasions are seated along one side. This does tend to reduce the atmosphere, but the travelling 'barmy' army - all 191 of us from Crawley - did make a lot of noise

The game itself we were lucky to win or even draw. First half we looked like a village football team, inept hoofers and lacking everywhere. Not the Crawley that knocked Bury out of the FA Cup and beat Oxford United recently. Nowhere near alas

The inevitable happened of course. Brett Williams got a goal for Rotherham on 20 minutes after a defensive cock-up and we were one down. They had previously had a goal disallowed and one or two good chances so, fair dues, they did deserve to be ahead. Miraculously we held them to that one goal until half time.

Once or twice I've suggested that a Steve Evans team talk at half time might be a bit 'robust' and unprintable when the team are trailing like that. Today was no exception, but whatever he did say once again had the desired effect

Best to leave it to Steve to explain:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 648663.stm in somewhat moderated language...

The second half, after the team chat, was much better. Our players came out blazing and put them under pressure straight away. We were in control. Four minutes in and we were equal from a powerful Tyrone Barnett drive

We didn't stop there... twenty minutes later, substitute John Paul Pittman on for Matt Tubbs sent a beautiful cross in from near the corner for Josh Simpson to shoot. The shot rebounded back from the post to Josh, who made no mistake this time and smacked it home

Kept them under pressure and once or twice broke into "Barcelona" mode with nice passes to keep possession and burn time away!

The result flattered us but so be it... another three points to bring us level on points with Southend who only managed to get a 1-1 draw at home against Bristol Rovers, now only trailing them on goal difference at the top of League 2.

Next up is our FA Cup 2nd round clash with minnows Redbridge, who will be desperate for a scalp and progress to the next (3rd) round. We should beat them comfortably but will have to watch out for the fact that as a club, this is their biggest fixture ever and they will be fired up for their big day. The match takes place next Saturday 3 December at Broadfield.
COME ON YOU REDS!

[Nevis]

Well done. You have the most views on the site.

[steveizy]

Well done. You have the most views on the site.

Thank-you Nevis
COME ON YOU REDS!

[steveizy]

Crawley 5 Redbribge 0

Crawley progress to the third round after this victory. A big team either home or away is now a distinct possibility and we will know later today when the draw takes place. ITV at approx. 2 pm after AFC Totton vs Bristol Rovers. A possible giant killing act live on ITV from 12:00! Will Bristol Rovers survive to the next round?

Back to yesterday's game, Crawley looked a bit unsure of themselves to start with and the score remained goalless for the first half hour. Matt Tubbs opened with a penalty when McFadzean was fouled by their Dan Trenkel. Five minutes later Tubbs was on hand again with a volley to put us into a respectable 2-0 lead at half time. Crawley had not been entirely convincing though and one or two defensive mix-ups could have let another team in. Everyone expected another Steve Evans team "talk" at half time but it seems that there wasn't one this week.

Redbridge came out the brighter team after the break and held us at bay until in the 76th minute their Vinnie Durrant fouled Tyrone Barnett who was through on goal. Penalty was duly converted by Matt Tubbs for his hat trick and Durrant was given his marching orders by the Referee.

Ten man Redbridge were tiring quickly at this stage and before long Andy Drury made it 4 nil with a nicely driven volley. Then in the 5th minute of added time McFadzean drove a long shot from about 20 yards home.

The Motormen had a few chances and their goalkeeper had a good game despite the scoreline!

2494 people were at the Broadfield, including 264 supporters from Redbridge. Not bad for them considering their average home gate is around the 100 mark but a pretty low show from the people of Crawley. Maybe this is not surprising as FA Cup games are not covered by season tickets and being a Saturday in the run up to Christmas many probably had their priorities elsewhere.

I will update this page as soon as our next FA Cup opponents are pulled from the draw later.
COME ON YOU REDS!

[steveizy]

Home to Championship Bristol City, match to be played weekend 7-8th January 2012.

Not quite as glamorous a tie as many hoped for but winnable at fortress Broadfield. City are presently sitting in 20th place in the Championship - only staying out of the relegation zone on goal difference. That must give us hope and remember Championship Derby County last year... they came to the Broadfield and we beat them

One thing is certain. This will be a sellout!

Talking of Bristol... there was no upset today as Bristol Rovers convincingly beat AFC Totton 1-6 at Totton in a thrilling match that was not nearly as one sided as the score suggests.

For now Crawley must concentrate on the task in hand - League 2 but Steve Evans and co. are, no doubt at this minute, learning everything they can about The Robins ahead of the clash.

In other news, Crawley have signed a sponsorship deal with County Mall and will have a stall in The Mall this week coming. So if you are there, show your support and buy something for that awkward nephew! maybe...
COME ON YOU REDS!

[steveizy]

Crawley Town 3 Burton Albion 0

Crawley go clear at the top of the League 2 table after this emphatic result against in-form Burton.

This was Crawley at its best - certainly the best I have seen this season. Let's hope it continues

We dominated the game from the start especially in midfield where we were first to just about everything, but the whole team deserves credit.

The first goal came from one of David Hunt's long throw-ins, tapped on by McFadzean to Claude Davis who smashed it home. HT 1-0

No need for a Steve Evans "team talk" at half time today - Crawley could have been two or three up by the break. The second half started in similar style with The Reds now attacking the newly named Bruce Winfield Stand where the home terraces are, of course. The second goal was a bit confusing... Matt Tubbs sent in a cross that Tyrone Barnet seemed to get a touch and it seems their defender Webster tried to stop but the ball crossed the line. Very confusing - it all happened so quickly - hopefully it will be clearer from the replay. Although I would have given it to Tyrone, the goal has been classified as an own goal. But they all count and although it was a fudge it was deserved as The Brewers had been under siege from The Reds and only good goalkeeping had kept them in there with a chance in the minutes leading up to the goal. The third, from Matt Tubbs was, in my eyes, a contender for goal of the season although I'm sure that our friends from the BBC will have other ideas... Matt just let go with an amazing smash from at least 30 yards that flew past their keeper. I don't think any keeper in the world would have had a chance against this. Wonderful goal from the master and the icing on the cake for us fans after such an entertaining match

3001 fans including 216 from Burton watched this match played out in fine but very cold weather at The Broadfield. Not a bad turn out on a Saturday in the run up to Christmas. The £5 tickets, no doubt, helped.

I won't suggest a Man of The Match although the sponsors had to and they gave it to Tubbs. To me the whole team was outstanding and it would be impossible to single out a player who stood above the others - it didn't happen - they were all deserving

Next up is away up at Crewe, in Cheshire, on Sat.17th December. Crewe are currently in the lower half of the table and if we play as well as we did yesterday, we should come away with the points. I am booked on this trip and looking forward to the game. Next at Broadfield is on Boxing Day when we entertain Gillingham in the local derby. The Gills, being just down the road, so to speak, are expected to bring a lot of support so a good atmosphere is assured! Hopefully the game will live up to expectations!
COME ON YOU REDS!