The Reds picked up another win in pre-season yesterday evening, beating local side Three Bridges 0-1 at Jubilee Field. Davide Rodari scored Crawley’s only goal to get his pre-season tally underway.
The first chance of the evening fell to the visitors as Jack Powell came close after some skilful play from Zaid Al-Hussaini. A Crawley corner fell short to Al-Hussaini, who brilliantly took the ball past his man before cutting back to Powell on the edge of the area, the midfielder's shot rolled just past the post.
After a lengthy break to treat a Three Bridges player, Crawley took the lead as Davide Rodari netted his first pre-season goal. Jack Powell provided the assist with an accurate pass which split open the Bridges defence, leaving Rodari to slip the ball under the on-rushing goalkeeper.
Al-Hussaini continued to look like a real threat on the right-hand side, taking the ball past his marker with ease time and time again. The winger almost set up the Reds trialist striker, but the attack was thwarted by a Bridges defender.
A rare attack for Three Bridges almost resulted in a penalty for the hosts as an attacker claimed to have been pulled down inside the box, the referee profusely waved away the hosts protests.
The Reds continued their dominant pressure into the second half and almost added a second as Rodari and a trialist linked up well. The trialist had a clear shot at goal after a brilliant ball from Rodari but was adjudged to have started in an offside position.
Trialist then had another bite of the cherry as Archie Davies delivered a peach of a ball into the penalty box. The perfectly weighted ball was met well by the trialist, who only missed the target by a couple of inches.
The second half was not one that will be remembered by many in a hurry, but it did come with plenty of positives for Crawley. Rafiq Khaleel, Szymon Kowalczyk and Mustapha Hussein all entered the fray and were mightily impressive. Kowalcyzk and Hussein were making their debuts for the Reds as they both impressed against a physical Three Bridges outfit.
Sam Ashford also made his return after a spell on loan at Woking, where he picked up an injury in the latter stage of the season.
Crawley were able to see out the remainder of the second half to claim a 1-0 victory. Crawley will play again this afternoon as they travel to the all familiar Camping World Community Stadium to face Horsham.
Reds XI: Noukeu; Davies, Adebowale, Trialist, Dallison; Al-Hussaini, Payne, Powell, Tilley; Rodari, Trialist.
