LANCING 0 ANVILS 0
After an indifferent pre-season campaign Crawley Down's newly formed Anvils traveled to arguably the best ground in the county league to visit Lancing FC. If Having just 6 weeks to put a whole new side together wasn't tough enough, Penlington had to cope
Starting 4-4-1-1 the Anvils set out their stall in the first half to work on the break. The back 4 of Gates, Johnston, Dodd and Simester were solid, Jeal was barking orders and the midfield working tirelessly to keep shape. Lancing approached the game with a very similar game plan and the first half was very tight, with few chances made at either end. Lancing's best chances coming from distance and Crawley Down coming close to breaking the deadlock when Saunders rounded the keeper and put the ball into the net only to see an offside flag raised.
The second half encouraged both teams to 'have a go' with Lancing having the better of the opening 20 minutes. Crashing the inside of the post in the 50th minute only to see the follow up go out for a throw in and also seeing 2 long range efforts firstly being blocked by a combo of Cane and Gates and a second saved comfortably by Jeal.
Crawley Down then changed up the system and went 4-4-2 bringing on Major for Alcock, whilst Cane was encouraged to now start pushing forward. These changes led to the Anvils having the better of the last 25 minutes with 3 big chances. Firstly after a decent ball into the box from the left hand side, Shugg'a just couldn't quite keep his header down when he found space around the six yard line. Then after an effort beat the keeper and bounced off the post Major was the first to react but somehow saw his effort spin back off the line after hitting the keeper. The final of the three came after good work down the right had side saw a cross by Shugg'a flash across the 6 yard line. Burroughs stretched and missed the ball by an inch reminding many of Gazza stretching for that ball against Germany in Euro 96.
In the end the Draw was probably the fair result and it showed a great reaction and test of character from the young Anvils although after the encouraging last 25 mins and 3 decent chances Crawley Down could easily have picked up all 3 points
Team: Jeal, Gates, Simester, Denver, Johnston, Dodd, Shuga'a, Burroughs, Cane, Saunders, Alcock (Major)
Unused Subs: Bos, Cooney, Steers, Rigler
Sussex Carpet Centre Man of the Match: Aaron Denver. Solid performance from the holding midfielder.
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