mzawf.org • View topic - Crawley in League 1
Login

  • Advertisement

Crawley in League 1

******
******
Founded 5th century
Borough status 1974

"I Grow and I Rejoice"
  • Author
    Message

Crawley in League 1

Postby steveizy » Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:18 pm

Crawley 3 Scunthorpe 0

Crawley started the League 1 campaign with a convincing win over Scunthorpe. In near tropical conditions, with the temperature hovering in the nineties, the team outclassed their opponents. It was so hot that the referee made the players take on water in both halves. Fitness levels told and the Crawley players clearly had the edge.

In the 33rd minute, Crawley took the lead after skipper Gary Alexander converted a cross from Hope Akpan and tapped the ball past the keeper. The remainder of the first half was played out without further goals but Scunthorpe did get a couple of corners which were defended well.

Things were a bit more Crawley again after the break and in the 64th minute their Tom Newey pulled back Gary Alexander unfairly and conceded a Penalty. Gary is also our main penalty taker. He stepped up and duly drove the ball past their keeper. Then, in the 80th minute, something strange happened. There was an altercation between two players near the centre circle and everyone was watching that instead of play, except those behind the goal who let out a huge cheer! We were 3-0 up and a lot of us missed it! Apparently the ref hadn't blown and play had continued. New loanee signing Jonathan Forte from Southampton was the opportunistic scorer and it was his debut for The Reds :applause

Early season gates are never huge with people having other things to do at this time of year so the crowd of 3172 was probably about what was expected. There have been big improvements, not only the new East stand, but to other facilities - particularly the catering and the long waits. There is also access within the ground to the Redz bar for those who like a pint at half time and smoking is tolerated in a small area. All great improvements which add to the fan experience. Full marks to the club.

Next up for the Reds is an away against our (newish) old enemies Swindon Town and judging by their recent form, this is going to be a big test for us. This match takes place this Tues. evening. I will be there with Carol urging our boys on and will report back.

:scarf :scarf :scarf COME ON YOU REDS! :scarf :scarf :scarf

For this message the author steveizy has received thanks: 2
dub, mzawf
User avatar
steveizy
Support
Support
 
Posts: 239
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:15 pm
Has thanked: 130 times
Have thanks: 482 times
Highscores: 2

Advertisement

Re: Crawley in League 1

Postby steveizy » Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:18 pm

Swindon 3 Crawley 0

Crawley were outclassed and outplayed by a very strong Swindon Team that is now unbeaten at home, The County Ground, for about a year. This defeat comes on top of both home and away defeats to them last season in division 2. Both those results were strangely also 3 - nil scores :cry

Swindon opened the scoring after 25 minutes when their Richie sent what looked like a cross toward the goal and it dipped in, fooling our keeper. Then, a minute before half time they added to the score when Miller beat our keeper with a low drive from the edge of the box. Crawley had a couple of chances in the first half with McFadzean and Alexander coming close. HT 2-0.

The second half was strange. Our support - all 152 of us, included a drummer who started to drum the rhythm of "The Great Escape", with us fans clapping in tune and shouting "CRAW-LEY" at the appropriate moments - from the whistle. This carried on without even a pause until after the final whistle, in other words about 50+ minutes :applause Even when Swindon scored their third, the tune continued without even a stutter. Swindon fans and there were 7500 of them were silenced by 152 of us :neernerneener My hands have never done so much clapping but it was great fun and, in a way, we had a lot of entertainment out of what would, otherwise, have been a depressing evening. My man of the match was Ross, the drummer :applause

Crawley were outplayed but this was only the second League 1 match in the club's history. It is fortunate that this came so early in the season. Lessons will be learned and those lessons will surely benefit the club for the season ahead.

Next up is our away trip to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, another tough match - as they all will be this season. I'm going and looking forward to the long drive up North and visiting a new stadium. Then, on Tuesday we entertain ex-premiership Bolton Wanderers in the 'league' cup. Bolton will be the second highest ranked team to visit the Broadfield and play a competitive match there. A full house is expected!

:scarf :scarf :scarf COME ON YOU REDS! :scarf :scarf :scarf

For this message the author steveizy has received thanks:
dub
User avatar
steveizy
Support
Support
 
Posts: 239
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:15 pm
Has thanked: 130 times
Have thanks: 482 times
Highscores: 2

Re: Crawley in League 1

Postby dub » Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:11 am

steveizy wrote:Crawley 3 Scunthorpe 0

Crawley started the League 1 campaign with a convincing win over Scunthorpe. In near tropical conditions, with the temperature hovering in the nineties, the team outclassed their opponents. It was so hot that the referee made the players take on water in both halves. Fitness levels told and the Crawley players clearly had the edge.

In the 33rd minute, Crawley took the lead after skipper Gary Alexander converted a cross from Hope Akpan and tapped the ball past the keeper. The remainder of the first half was played out without further goals but Scunthorpe did get a couple of corners which were defended well.

Things were a bit more Crawley again after the break and in the 64th minute their Tom Newey pulled back Gary Alexander unfairly and conceded a Penalty. Gary is also our main penalty taker. He stepped up and duly drove the ball past their keeper. Then, in the 80th minute, something strange happened. There was an altercation between two players near the centre circle and everyone was watching that instead of play, except those behind the goal who let out a huge cheer! We were 3-0 up and a lot of us missed it! Apparently the ref hadn't blown and play had continued. New loanee signing Jonathan Forte from Southampton was the opportunistic scorer and it was his debut for The Reds :applause

Early season gates are never huge with people having other things to do at this time of year so the crowd of 3172 was probably about what was expected. There have been big improvements, not only the new East stand, but to other facilities - particularly the catering and the long waits. There is also access within the ground to the Redz bar for those who like a pint at half time and smoking is tolerated in a small area. All great improvements which add to the fan experience. Full marks to the club.

Next up for the Reds is an away against our (newish) old enemies Swindon Town and judging by their recent form, this is going to be a big test for us. This match takes place this Tues. evening. I will be there with Carol urging our boys on and will report back.

:scarf :scarf :scarf COME ON YOU REDS! :scarf :scarf :scarf

Hi steveizy thanks for the writing up the highlights of a the match and along with all the action :applause
Following the 3 0 trouncing of Scunthorpe Broadfield residents were buzzing !
When shopping that day, at Broadfield Barton there seemed to be an atmosphere of pride flowing.
All around me was an abundance supporters returning from the stadium on a high and spreading the word of :reddevils latest achievement
:applause :notworthy
COME ON YOU REDS! :scarf :scarf :scarf
User avatar
dub
Admin
Admin
 
Posts: 268
Images: 16
Joined: Mon May 31, 2010 10:23 am
Has thanked: 3247 times
Have thanks: 409 times
Highscores: 1

Re: Crawley in League 1

Postby dub » Fri Aug 24, 2012 10:19 am

steveizy wrote:Swindon 3 Crawley 0

Crawley were outclassed and outplayed by a very strong Swindon Team that is now unbeaten at home, The County Ground, for about a year. This defeat comes on top of both home and away defeats to them last season in division 2. Both those results were strangely also 3 - nil scores :cry

Swindon opened the scoring after 25 minutes when their Richie sent what looked like a cross toward the goal and it dipped in, fooling our keeper. Then, a minute before half time they added to the score when Miller beat our keeper with a low drive from the edge of the box. Crawley had a couple of chances in the first half with McFadzean and Alexander coming close. HT 2-0.

The second half was strange. Our support - all 152 of us, included a drummer who started to drum the rhythm of "The Great Escape", with us fans clapping in tune and shouting "CRAW-LEY" at the appropriate moments - from the whistle. This carried on without even a pause until after the final whistle, in other words about 50+ minutes :applause Even when Swindon scored their third, the tune continued without even a stutter. Swindon fans and there were 7500 of them were silenced by 152 of us :neernerneener My hands have never done so much clapping but it was great fun and, in a way, we had a lot of entertainment out of what would, otherwise, have been a depressing evening. My man of the match was Ross, the drummer :applause

Crawley were outplayed but this was only the second League 1 match in the club's history. It is fortunate that this came so early in the season. Lessons will be learned and those lessons will surely benefit the club for the season ahead.

Next up is our away trip to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, another tough match - as they all will be this season. I'm going and looking forward to the long drive up North and visiting a new stadium. Then, on Tuesday we entertain ex-premiership Bolton Wanderers in the 'league' cup. Bolton will be the second highest ranked team to visit the Broadfield and play a competitive match there. A full house is expected!

:scarf :scarf :scarf COME ON YOU REDS! :scarf :scarf :scarf

Hi steveizy Thanks for the update
After a good spell in the winning lane, I suppose fortune had readdress the balance :scratch :cry
As you have mentioned in your post it's early days!
With Crawley playing in the division one and also competing at a higher level, with the season just beginning lets hope that it's a tactical gitch :punch
Maybe outclassed on this occasion but not out-sung !
Lets hope :crawleyscarf a have return to recent form when pitched :joker against Doncaster on saturday 3 - 2 to Crawley is my match forecast.
Have great day out and a easy drive up north to Doncaster.


:scarf :scarf COME ON YOU REDS! :scarf :scarf
:mz
User avatar
dub
Admin
Admin
 
Posts: 268
Images: 16
Joined: Mon May 31, 2010 10:23 am
Has thanked: 3247 times
Have thanks: 409 times
Highscores: 1

Re: Crawley in League 1

Postby steveizy » Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:59 am

Doncaster Rovers 0 Crawley 1

Crawley bounced back from the disappointing result at Swindon last week and came away with the points. There really was not a great deal to choose between the teams throughout the match, both had few chances and the defence at both ends looked solid. The first half saw Doncaster slightly the strongest but they were unable to break through. The second half saw Crawley come into the game more and this finally paid off for us in the 88th minute when Ajose just got the tiniest touch on Josh Simpson's shot, which steered the shot away from their keeper :applause Up to then, us supporters were reckoning on a 0-0 draw and the one point from that so the goal and the result was a big, unexpected, bonus :drink

Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium is a very impressive modern stadium capable of seating 15,000 odd so the total of 6433 including the 225 we took up meant that it was more than half empty but that didn't stop our away support from being loud once more. Thanks to our drummer, the second half was continuous support for The Reds. It is nice to think that we, the supporters, helped our team on - as the twelfth man. Whether this really is the case or not, it is great fun. Long may it continue!

Next-up is our task of knocking Bolton Wanderers out of the League Cup on Tuesday at the Broadfield. On Police Advice, the match is all-ticket and the latest you can buy a ticket is 3:00 pm on Tuesday at the club. Online sales close at midnight tonight 27th Aug. Personally I am mystified by this "advice". It is unlikely that Bolton will send huge numbers unexpectedly for a competition that the bigger clubs like themselves don't really take that seriously. Considering it is evening mid-week and the long journey involved as well as the expense, I expect they will send maybe 500. All this advice will achieve is a lower gate and a few people who wanted to come disappointed.

Anyway, it should be a good game and it is great to have teams like Bolton coming here!

Next Saturday we are at home to Leyton Orient... watch this space :wavey :wavey

:scarf :scarf :scarfCOME ON YOU REDS! :scarf :scarf :scarf

For this message the author steveizy has received thanks:
dub
User avatar
steveizy
Support
Support
 
Posts: 239
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:15 pm
Has thanked: 130 times
Have thanks: 482 times
Highscores: 2

Re: Crawley in League 1

Postby steveizy » Wed Aug 29, 2012 2:26 pm

Crawley 2 Bolton 1 - League Cup.

After a shaky start and conceding a goal, Crawley came back into the match more as the time went on. The second half saw both teams have several chances but nothing came of them. A 0-1 loss was anticipated by all of us. This all changed in the 81st minute when Billy Clarke, on as an impact sub, drove the ball low past their keeper :applause Bolton came right back at us and forced a couple of saves from Jones, our keeper. Crawley turned the situation round with pressure on the Bolton goal. Billy Clarke and Nick Ajose both missing before, in the 92nd minute, Nicky Ajose headed home from a Clarke cross :applause

Fantastic result! Another championship scalp to add to our growing collection. Bolton probably are Crawley's biggest scalp overall. The draw for the next round takes place this Thursday evening. Hoping for a really big club away!

The crowd was disappointingly low, 2678 and this wasn't helped by the "Ticket only" fiasco dreamt up by the police and the club. Fans, both home and away, were being turned away from a half empty stadium - ridiculous. I hope that both the club and the police review the "advice" after this episode.

That was the only fly in the ointment for what was a memorable occasion.

Next up it is back to league when we entertain Leyton Orient this Saturday at Broadfield. Hopefully three points !!

:scarf :scarf :scarf COME ON YOU REDS! :scarf :scarf :scarf

For this message the author steveizy has received thanks: 2
dub, Nevis
User avatar
steveizy
Support
Support
 
Posts: 239
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:15 pm
Has thanked: 130 times
Have thanks: 482 times
Highscores: 2

Re: Crawley in League 1

Postby dub » Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:00 pm

Hi steveizy thanks for updating mzawf on the fortunes of the :reddevils
Its been a bit of a roller-coaster ride keeping up with events.
Success seemed to be following the team and it had to come to an end.
The hiccup with the Swindon match left me feeling deflated :cry
But as we are all aware it's "football", just when you think its going right, it bloody well goes wrong. :angry
A ball that looks like a cross, heads in toward the goal,dips and fools the keeper. :thumbsdown
:rotfl :thumbsdown
Post the Swindon match I took stock and told myself, be realistic, its going to be a tough season :indifferent
Then, like a miracle a win at Doncaster :scarf :scarf followed by the win against the former premiership side Bolton :notworthy
All faith now restored :thumbsup
Leyton orient appears in my mind to be a another scalp on the offing.
:crawleyscarf is back on track to excel all expectations.... :reddevils
:youreds
:mz

For this message the author dub has received thanks: 2
Nevis, steveizy
User avatar
dub
Admin
Admin
 
Posts: 268
Images: 16
Joined: Mon May 31, 2010 10:23 am
Has thanked: 3247 times
Have thanks: 409 times
Highscores: 1

Next

Return to CRAWLEY