A Reds XI made up first-team players and trialists took on a young Woking side this morning. Giving some of the lads crucial minutes as the 2020/21 campaign draws to an end. Nick Tsaroulla and Davide Rodari were the only players involved in both Tuesday night’s draw with Walsall and this morning's game at Horsham.
Ricky German started upfront and almost found himself with a goal inside the opening ten minutes. German was able to spin and turn past his marker on the edge of the box before taking a shot that rolled just wide of the post.
Davide Rodari then had a chance following a free-kick on the edge of the area. The returning Dannie Bulman floated a ball into the box, and after several deflections, the ball fell to Rodari as the striker attempted a neat flick which was saved by the Woking goalkeeper
German then earned himself another chance after good work from Zaid Al-Hussaini on the wing. Al-Hussaini drifted past his marker before cutting the ball back to German inside the box, who had his shot blocked well by a Woking centre-half.
Crawley’s dominating spell was rewarded as Tarryn Allarkia finished neatly from an Al-Hussaini corner. Zaid’s low delivery was met with a deft touch from Allarakhia at the front post leaving the Woking goalkeeper no chance.
Al-Hussaini was causing all sorts of trouble for the Woking defence in the first half. On this occasion taking the ball past several defenders before being fouled on the edge of the box. Khaleel’s attempt was blocked well by the Woking wall.
Woking started the second half much better than they finished the first and quickly found themselves level. A tidy finish from inside the box by the young right midfielder levelled it up for the Cardinals.
The Reds looked to respond instantly as Nick Tsaroulla had a shot brilliantly blocked by the Woking defence. Brilliant work from German on the byline gave the striker space to set the ball back to Tsaroulla, who was charging into the box. Nick’s first-time shot was courageously blocked by the Woking right back.
Crawley soon found themselves ahead with a very similar chance to the last. More good work from German allowed him time to cut back towards Henry Burnett on the six-yard box, Burnett kept his cool and finished into the roof of the net to restore the Reds lead.
German then curated a chance of his own as the striker burst into the Woking penalty area. Ricky was able to travel past a defender in the box before firing at goal as the shot came crashing off of the post.
A strong showing from the young Reds XI as goals from Tarryn Allarakhia and Henry Burnett ensured the Reds rode out 2-1 winners.
REDS XI: Nelson (Jones 72’), Sesay, Trialist (Trialist 45’), Adebowale, Tsaroulla (Trialist 61’), Bulman (Kowalczyk 60’), Khaleel (Hussein 72’), Al-Hussaini, Allarakhia (Trialist 61’), German (Trialist 72’), Rodari (Burnett 45’)
