The Anvils started slowly which has become almost customary and it is something that the management team will look to rectify in the New Year.
That stuttering start was partly down to a dominant first 15 minutes from Loxwood who belied their lowly league position in the early exchanges.

The home side gradually played themselves into the game and were rewarded with the opening goal after 24 minutes. Russell Malton played a great through ball to Oli Leslie. The tall striker still had a lot to do but he turned inside and struck a great shot into the corner of the net with his less favoured left foot.
From that point on although the visitors fought tooth and nail and never gave up it always seemed as if Crawley Down were in control.
On 37 minutes the home side ensured a two goal cushion at the break when Nick Sullivan slotted home from close in after good work from the influential Leslie.

Crawley Down started the second half strongly and pushed for the third goal that would effectively kill off the game. When it came in the 54th minute it was hardly a thing of beauty. Michael Belli swung in a corner from the right that evaded everyone until the predatory Nick Sullivan bundled it in at the back post despite the heroic attempts by Tom Frankland to keep it out. The defender was injured for his trouble and was unable to continue. From there the game petered out to some extent and although Michael Wood hit the bar for the Anvils at one end and Loxwood did the same at the other the result was never in doubt.

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

Attn: 81 MOM: Mark Pelling