Links to previous chapters: Creepy Crawley - Started from the bottom, still here. (Part 1) Creepy Cra...
Links to previous chapters:
Creepy Crawley - Started from the bottom, still here. (Part 2) Coping...
Here we go with the third chapter in our quest for a win… If you read the past two blogs, you’ll know that we have finished each episode with a 4-1 defeat in each. Lets change that unwelcome curse!
WYCOME WANDERERS, LEAGUE TWO
First up, we welcome Wycombe Wanderers to the 'Checkatrade' and i'm feeling good. Crawley in 16th, Wycombe in 15th. Our first scalp of the season perhaps? Let's see. I'm starting this match with an attacking 4-4-1-1 formation with Barnard leading the attack and Deacon giving the support with the all important through balls. As-well-as this, we give loanee debutants McFadzean, Conlan and Harney a run out in a bid to end a poor start to the season. Overall, we put in a strong fight but only after 9 minutes, Wycombe break through a break the deadlock with a lethal finish. After that the game was pretty much over before we could change our tactical approach. Sonny Bradley adds to our centre back conundrum by getting himself a straight red card in the 31st minute. We had the better of the game but ultimately were outclassed leaving us in a lowly 20th place.
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| Just a little reminder why you should never attempt a Crawley Town save. |
AFC WIMBLEDON, JOHNSTONES PAINT TROPHY
Moving on, we look ahead to a local derby with AFC Wimbledon for the second time this month, this time in the Johnstones Paint Trophy. I'm reverting back to a 4-4-2 in the hope the extra striker should boost the chances of something actually hitting the back of their net rather than ours. The game started off a shambles, all i can say is that we were 2-0 down at home within two minutes played. From there, it didn't get any better. Well, we got a consultation through Jimmy Smith in the 9th minute giving us some hope for the rest of the match. Hope? What hope? Wimbledon hit us twice on the break towards the end of the first half to make it 4-1 to the 'Dons. Making a couple of defensive changes at the break reinforced our back four, when suddenly we got through and hit two quick-fire goals in the 52nd and 54th minute through Gwion Edwards and Gavin Tomlin making it 4-3 and giving the rest of the game some sort of purpose! Exciting chances weren't taken and the minutes ran down with Wimbledon managing to extend to lead to 5-3 in the 85th minute through Will Nightingale. The Johnstones Paint dream is over. Next year maybe? If we're still playing league football i suppose!
OVERHAUL OF TACTICS
After detailing the first month of games, I will be going through games a month at a time, with a little less depth and a lot more content!
NOTTS COUNTY, LEAGUE TWO
Starting at Notts County, the start of a 5 game month in September. Starting brightly, looking positive, the first half was of few chances but our youth pairing at centre back were holding up well at 0-0. The second half ran a completely different story as we managed to claim our first win! 2-1 against a strong Notts County side with Gwion and Barnard with the goals.
MANSFIELD TOWN, LEAGUE TWO
Six days later we arrive at Field Mill, the home of Mansfield Town. Sticking with our new formation, with our strongest line-up we go into half time on the back end of a mauling by Mansfield, though at only 1-0 down there's always a way back into the game. This chance came late in the game when Gwion Edwards perfectly executes a free-kick to give both sides a deserved draw at 1-1! This result manages to move us up to 15th, 9 places above our prediction. Suppose we aren't that bad, eh?
YEOVIL TOWN, LEAGUE TWO
We went into this game two places above Yeovil, a team who are predicted to have a pointless mid table finish though i'd say are playing more like a Vanarama National League team. We started in a typical Crawley fashion positive and attacking and that's how both teams played out the first half. No goals but a total of 11 shots. The second half started and ended the same way but neither team were able to break the deadlock finishing 0-0. Positive! It's not a loss right?!
ACCRINGTON STANLEY ("Who're they?"), LEAGUE TWO
Arguably the biggest game we've played so far. Having to play it without Lee Barnard was tough but Tomlin was a worthy replacement. Accrington, hot on the heels of the promotion spots, one of the favorites to go up went behind after a superb Gwion Edwards run and expert finish in what turned out to be the only goal of the game. The second half petered out and Accrington just seemed to give up just hitting 3 shots all game. Second win of the season complete! This puts us up to 13th!
NEWPORT COUNTY, LEAGUE TWO
Finally, we round September up taking the long trek to Wales to visit our ex conference rivals Newport County. Newport themselves are in a very similar position to ourselves, predicted to do awful, coping well. First half was a dull affair for Crawley, no luck as we went into the break 2-0 down to an early McBernie strike and a late John-Lewis header. Surely we aren't going to finish yet another chapter with a loss, right? I wish i could tell you otherwise but Newport were just too strong for us.
ROUND UP
A tough month, but the most positive run so far. A run that gave us a four match unbeaten run in the league, oh what i'd do to replicate that a few more times this season. A boy can dream. A Crawley fan can't.. Unfortunately, out of another chance to have a run at a Wembley final, FA Cup anyone?
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Started from the bottom, still here.
Link to Creepy Crawley - Started from the bottom, still here. (Part 4) Halloween looms..
Link to Creepy Crawley - Started from the bottom, still here. (Part 4) Halloween looms..
