Hi all, and welcome back to the latest instalment of Started from the bottom, still here. In case you haven't read the previous chapt...
Hi all, and welcome back to the latest instalment of Started from the bottom, still here. In case you haven't read the previous chapters I've got a link just HERE. We had a good month all round in January with just a couple of hiccups and three great results which has left us sitting in a positive 16th position. On to the action with Crawley!
STEVENAGE, LEAGUE TWO (6TH)
So, we started off with an away game against Stevenage, and I felt we could pick up a great shock. We got off to a fantastic start with Roarie Deacon picking up a fantastic cross and heading in within the first 5 minutes. We couldn't hold the lead till half time though, as Stevenage broke away within the last few minutes of the first half and scored to make it 1-1. The second half was one of the worst performances this squad has put on all season. Conceding early on, making it 2-1 to Stevenage, the team lacked any form of attack and it stayed that way. A disappointing result where we should have picked up at least a point.
ACCRINGTON, LEAGUE TWO (21ST)
Moving swiftly on, we had a great chance to pick up three points away at Accrington. Accrington went into this game struggling for form and this was shown throughout the game. Crawley took another early lead thanks to a wonderful header from Gavin Tomlin and this is the way it stayed. 1-0. The play off push is back on!
PLYMOUTH, LEAGUE TWO (3RD)
Here, against the mighty Plymouth we were only expecting to take a draw, I would have been happy with just that. With an unchanged for the past 17 games 4-4-2 attacking formation in place, we took the game straight to the league favorites from minute 1. Eventually being rewarded in the 60th minute with a wonderful goal from in-form Gavin Tomlin. And just two minutes later he gave the Red Devils a 2-0 lead which we held to the very end. Possibly our biggest achievement of the season so far!
Shortly after the match, we received this message, exciting times ahead? Possibly!
Shortly after the match, we received this message, exciting times ahead? Possibly!
LEYTON ORIENT, LEAGUE TWO (6TH)
On the back of two wins, going to 6th place Leyton Orient thinking we could pick up a win was all we could dream of. We started the day in 9th place, just 4 points from the vital 7th place play-off spot occupied by Portsmouth. Unfortunately, the game didn't go as planned. Leyton Orient were on the attack from the very first whistle and ended up taking a 1-0 lead within the first 2 minutes. It didn't get much better as Orient not only scored a second, but also a third in quick succession shortly before the half was up. We managed to get a late reply in the form of a rare Kevin Lisbie goal but that's all she wrote. 3-1 to Orient and a another knock to our hopes.
ROUND UP
Overall, I feel 2 wins and 2 defeats from this month has been strong, but also a massive hindrance to our chances of League One football next year. We'll kick on and do our best and hopefully we shall see some results next month!
March
NEWPORT COUNTY, LEAGUE TWO (9TH)
So moving straight into march, we had the task of taking on Newport County who were putting up quite the performance in League Two this year. Estimated to be contesting a relegation battle with ourselves but are out performing that estimation greatly. We managed to take the lead in the 16th minute, Lisbie getting only his second goal of the season but appreciated none the less. We rounded off a superb victory by getting a late goal with the last kick of the game through McFadzean to give us the three points we so desperately need.
MORECAMBE, LEAGUE TWO (16TH)
LUTON, LEAGUE TWO (5TH)
HARTLEPOOL, LEAGUE TWO (4TH)
EXETER, LEAGUE TWO (9TH)
ROUND UP
We went into this game on the back of a wonderful win over Newport and were hoping to continue with this form. Morecambe gave a credible fight though, first of all going ahead after dominating much of the game. It was only in the last 5 minutes Crawley showed up and managed to grab an equaliser. The game finished 1-1 and I'm incredibly disappointed we didn't take full advantage of the game.
LUTON, LEAGUE TWO (5TH)
We visited Luton in our only away game of this part and I didn't feel confident. Luton went into this game on the back of 6 wins in a row. Unfortunately for us, they made it 7. After a dominating first half in which Luton scored 2, Crawley looked flat. No enthusiasm or morale within the side and this continued into the second half. We managed to get a consolation in the 80th minute but this was cancelled out after a superb last minute strike from Luton. 3-1 and a tough result to take.
HARTLEPOOL, LEAGUE TWO (4TH)
Going into this fixture on the back of two without a win, our play-off hopes were in the gutter. It didn't get much better during this match, Hartlepool took an early 2 goal lead, dominating and firing 13 shots within the first half, things were not looking good. Something happened during my half time team talk, we put ourselves into an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation and hit Hartlepool hard. The domination turned to our favour after we instantly hit a goal back straight after the break followed by a tidy finish from Gwion Edwards in the last 10 minutes. That brought the game to a close at 2-2 and gave us a positive boost going in to our last game of the month against Exeter.
After now three games without a win, we needed a win to pick ourselves up and get ourselves back within a shout of a play-off place. Exeter started strong, opened the scoring with a great finish only to be cancelled out by a fine strike from Edwards once again. It was looking to stay that way until Fenelon bursts down the wing, beats off 3 defenders, runs round the keeper and expertly slots it into the back of the net to give Crawley Town a valuable 3 points that we deserve!
Overall, we have had a good couple of months, picking up 4 wins from a possible 9. Next episode, we have an end of season special, at the moment we're just 7 points from a play off place with 6 games to go, so anything is possible!
Thanks for being patient and giving this a view! Any questions, feedback or ideas are all welcome and if you have any please feel free to leave it on my Facebook page just HERE!