Those who put Christmas shopping ahead of a trip to The Haven on Saturday missed out on a pulsating Christmas cracker of a game as Crawley Down twice game from behind to edge out Arundel 3-2 in the SCFL Premier Division.

This truly was a game that had everything to keep the fans enthralled from first to last. On paper it should have been a home banker as the upwardly mobile Anvils took on struggling, second from bottom, Arundel. However right from the off it was clear that the visitors had not read the script. They raced out of the blocks and put the home side under such pressure that at times it looked as if they had a numerical advantage as they swarmed all over a slow starting Crawley Down. They got their reward after only 10 minutes when some slack defending allowed the lively Dion Jarvis to race clear and finish coolly past a hopelessly exposed Andy Greaves in the home goal.

In truth the Mullets could have been further ahead before the Anvils equalised through Sam Cane on 37 minutes. His initial attempt was blocked but he managed to squeeze the ball in off the post to get his side back into the contest. It was 1-1 at the break.

The Anvils made some changes in shape and positions at the break but the visitors continued to look threatening. On 55 minutes a good break down the right saw a dangerous cross find Asley Hawkes who scored with a great header to put Arundel ahead for the second time.

At this point the home side seemed to realise that they needed to raise their game and they did. A period of sustained pressure saw them awarded a penalty for a very obvious hand ball. Oli Leslie stepped up and hammered home the equaliser from the spot. From there the momentum had swung inexorably in favour of the home side and the only question was whether Arundel could hold out or whether the Anvils could magic up a winner.

The deciding goal when it came after 82 minutes has got to be one of the best goals ever scored at the Haven. Crawley Down were awarded a free kick in a central position but at least 25 yards from goal. Michael Belli took on the responsibility and hit an absolutely stunning unstoppable guided missile of a shot into the top corner past a despairing Dan Stevens in the Arundel goal. 3-2 Anvils.

There was still time for some very late drama when almost on time the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors for a sliding tackle by Andy Greaves but he reversed his decision as the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside against the Arundel forward. It was the correct decision but one where the lateness of the flag, in line with the modern interpretation of the offside law, enraged the Arundel players and management.

The final whistle was met with relief by the home fans and players and total despair from Arundel who must have felt that they deserved a minimum of a point.

Crawley Down Gatwick: Andy Greaves, Josh Martin (Sonny Barton), Billy Wraight, Andy Goodwin (Sam Packham), Blair Cooney, Marc Pelling, Russell Malton, Michael Belli, Sam Cane (Lewis Croal), Oli Leslie, Michael Wood. Unused Substitute: James Day

MOM: Michael Belli.
Attn: 51

Up next at The Haven
Sat 29th Dec 3pm K/O
Anvils v Loxwood.