Walton, McNerney and Harrold net in friendly success
Reds made it two wins in three days in pre-season with an ultimately comfortable victory over National League North Nuneaton at Liberty Way.The dozen or so Reds’ fans in a crowd of 292 that made the trip to Warwickshire saw their side take the lead in first-half stoppage time through Simon Walton’s penalty.
Substitute Joe McNerney and Matt Harrold made it 3-0 in the space of three second-half minutes and substitute Roarie Deacon hit the post as Reds built on Monday's win over Reading.
Reds gave a debut to goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, who completed his loan move from Newcastle United on Wednesday afternoon. There were second run-outs in the space of 48 hours for trialists Durrell Berry and Brian Van De Bogaert in the full-back positions.
The hosts included former Premier League striker Marlon Harewood in their starting line-up.
Nuneaton keeper Jordan Smith made the first save on 12 minutes, bravely denying the on rushing Lewis Young after Reds had made good progress down their left but moments later the visitors suffered a blow when De Bogaert, who had been prominent in the early stages, had to go off with an injury to his left knee.
Smith made another good save on 20 minutes, blocking skipper Sonny Bradley’s effort from a half-cleared corner as Reds continued to move the ball around crisply in the early stages.
Nuneaton tried to play a passing game too with midfielders Shane Byrne and Callum Chettle good in possession and the home side won a couple of corners before Woodman was called into action on 27 minutes when he pushed an angled drive from Aaron Williams, who had been well found in space by James Reid, onto the post.
Seconds before the break Crawley were awarded a penalty when Jon Ashton was fouled as he challenged for the ball at a corner and Simon Walton stepped up and sent Smith the wrong way from the spot.
Joe McNerney replaced Bradley at the break and Jimmy Smith came on for Walton before Gwion Edwards replaced Young on the hour.
Moments later Nuneaton failed to clear Smith’s left-wing corner and when the ball broke in the six-yard box McNerney turned to fire home.
Reds got a third on 63 minutes. Conor Henderson’s free kick from the right was met with a powerful header by Matt Harrold that gave Smith no chance.
Deacon and Luke Rooney both came on with 20 minutes to go and Deacon nearly scored with his first touch when he rattled the upright from 20 yards with Smith beaten.
Reds: Woodman, Berry, Van De Bogaert (Niheme 15), Walton (Smith 46), Bradley (McNerney 46), Henderson, Young (Edwards 60), Fenelon (Deacon 70), Ashton, Bawling (Rooney 70), Harrold. Subs: Preston (gk), Niheme, Summerfield.
