Crawley continued their pre-season campaign on Saturday afternoon with a win at Three Bridges Football Club. Scott Lindsey's side ran out as 2-1 victors on the day courtesy of a first-half brace from Danilo Orsi. Despite a late goal from the home side, Crawley dominated the majority of the fixture and were unlucky not to have finished with more than two goals to their name.
As he did on Tuesday night against East Grinstead, Scott Lindsey picked two XIs for this fixture. The first-half team featured new signings Luca Ashby-Hammond and Klaidi Lolos, who were both making their Crawley debuts.
It didn't take long for the Red Devils to take the lead as Danilo Orsi netted his first Crawley goal in the 9th minute of play. Jayden Davis swept an inviting cross into the box that Orsi perfectly connected with to send the ball into the back of the net off of the underside of the crossbar.
Lolos almost found himself with a debut goal moments after Crawley's opener after he was sent through on goal by Nick Tsaroulla. Lolos' eventual effort was saved brilliantly by the Bridges goalkeeper, who had a fine performance between the sticks.
The Bridges goalkeeper was eventually beaten again on the stroke of half-time, and it was that man Orsi as the forward beautifully tucked away a brilliant Reds move. The move started in defence as a trialist played the ball to Lolos in the midfield, who then skillfully backheeled the ball into the path of Liam Kelly. Kelly shifted a perfectly weighted pass into the feet of Orsi, who lifted the ball over the Bridges goalkeeper to double Crawley's lead.
Crawley's first-half XI: Luca Ashby-Hammond, Harry Ransom, Joy Mukena, Tobi Omole, Trialist, Liam Kelly, Jayden Davis, Klaidi Lolos, Nick Tsaroulla, Trialist, Danilo Orsi
The second half saw a dramatic decrease in clear-cut chances for the Red Devils. The Bridges goalkeeper did make some fine saves towards the end of the half, but the Red Devils did seem to have a lack of creativity in the second period.
Three Bridges were able to pull a goal back in the 75th minute. One of the home side's forwards raced through on goal and rounded goalkeeper Corey Addai to give his side a chance of an unlikely comeback. However, Crawley's dominance only continued after the Bridges goal, and it was in the final 15 minutes of the match that Crawley looked the most dangerous.
Telford had a free-kick well-saved before a trialist also came close with an effort from range. Harry Forster forced another excellent save from the Three Bridges goalkeeper in the final knockings of the match as his long-range effort was expertly tipped over the bar.
The full-time whistle soon sounded to round off Crawley's second pre-season outing.
Crawley's second-half XI: Corey Addai, Joel Lynch, Trialist, Trialist, Kellan Gordon, Rafiq Khaleel, Florian Kastrati, Harry Forster, Dom Telford, Ashley Nadesan, Trialist
Click here to listen to Scott Lindsey's post-match interview.
