Crawley snatch a last minute winner

Spartan South Midlands League

Premier Division

Tuesday 15 Sep 20

Tring Athletic 2 v Crawley Green FC 3

For the second game running Crawley were pegged back after twice taking the lead but this time instead of conceding in the last minute it was the Maroons who snatched a 90th minute goal to run out 2-3 winners against Tring Athletic.

It was an eventful start for the Maroons as in the first 6 minutes they had Adam Marsh booked for the first challenge of the game, Danny Watson smashed a cracking shot against the bar, Mark Bunker had a penalty saved by Jonathan Pitts and on 6 minutes Phil Draycott had a fine run down the left and his cross was converted by Watson to make it 0-1.

Crawley's Watson set up Lejhai Henriques from a Bunker throw but his shot went over the bar and Adam Marsh then had a good run and shot saved by Pitts.

After 28 minutes it was the hosts who went close as Crawley's George Rose saved well from an effort by Frank Hercules. Crawley were caught out from the corner when a long cross to the far post was headed back for Joe Nayler to make it 1-1.

A minute later Crawley regained the lead. The lively Henriques played in Draycott down the left and he planted the ball past Pitts to make it 1-2. 

Back came the hosts with a free kick from Connor Goodliffe which Prince Nimoh headed over and Adam Marsh had another shot go just wide and it finished 1-2 at the break.

At the start of the second half Crawley's Arronn Browne whipped in a great cross from the left which was headed just wide by a diving Marsh.

A Bunker corner led to a quick break from Jack Nayler but Crawley's Chad King cleared the danger. After 72 minutes Holmes played in Watson but his goal was ruled out for offside and six minutes later the hosts were level. Crawley allowed Oliver Butler to run at the heart of their defence and he arrowed his shot past Rose into the bottom left hand corner to make it 2-2.

The goal lifted Tring who went in search of the winner. Nayler had a shot go wide and Kevin McManus headed over from close range. 

Just as it seemed the game would finish in a draw Crawley snatched the points. A long ball into the heart of the Tring defence was chased down by Holmes who lobbed the onrushing Pitts to make it 2-3. Cue wild celebrations from the Maroons who then ran down the clock to take all 3 points.

On Saturday Crawley travel to Eynesbury Rovers.