This evening, the Reds returned to The People’s Pension Stadium in front of a home crowd for the first time in 223 days. Our defending Trialist opened the scoring from a corner as Thierry Nevers drew West Ham level, but substitute Sam Ashford clinched the win for Crawley with a composed late strike.
Early chances for the Reds saw Tyler Frost being brought down on the edge of the area before Jack Powell’s free-kick flew over the bar, and Tony Craig heading wide from a corner won well by Ashley Nadesan.
The Hammers proved an attacking force when excellent defending from Archie Davies was required to block an attack as the defender slid in to divert a West Ham cross. Moments later, Tyler Frost flew forward, beating a number of West Ham players before having an effort saved by West Ham’s Hegyi.
Then we opened the scoring when Trialist pounced on a corner ball that the Hammers goalkeeper flapped at. A great introduction for the young man who impressed many watching on.
Once again Tony Craig got on the end of a corner, directing a headed effort only inches wide of the mark. Sam Matthews then found himself in space inside the box, taking an ambitious shot at goal that was well blocked by a West Ham defender.
After leading at the break, West Ham levelled the scores through exciting forward Thierry Nevers. The frontman smashed past Morris from close range after the Cat made a terrific save beforehand. Helpless in the end though.
Wide men, Frost and Matthews, again combined nicely as the latter was able to weave inside the box, taking a touch before blasting wide of the target.
But it was Crawley who continued their dominant pre-season form with another win as Sam Ashford scored his second in two consecutive games. It was great footwork from the striker as he took a couple of neat touches before poking past the goalkeeper.
Next we will host Tottenham Hotspur this coming Saturday, 31 July. The game will kick off at 3pm.
Reds XI: Morris; Davies, Craig, Trialist, Dallison; Matthews (Trialist 73’), Hessenthaler (Trialist 88’), Powell, Frost (Ashford 73’); Nichols, Nadesan (Payne 64’)
Attendance: 1478 (89 away)
