Prior to this game the Anvils had not won in six games, albeit four of the six were drawn, including disappointing results against both Arundel and Littlehampton at the Haven. It has been a frustrating second half of the season for manager Paul Cooper and his players. Weather related disruptions and injuries have had an effect but performances have been good without getting the results those performances deserved. The game at Worthing certainly exemplified the old football cliché of football being a game of two halves. It was played on a very heavy surface which combined with a very generous covering of grass did not suit the Anvils normal passing game. However both teams produced an entertaining first half with the visitors probably shading possession and territory. The biggest talking point was the award of a penalty to the home side. There was no doubt about the award in terms of the decision itself but keeper Seb Bos was possibly lucky to see yellow rather than red as he wrestled the striker to the ground. So often football is a game of fine margins. At half time Worthing United led 1-0 and had to be happy with themselves. Whatever Paul Cooper said to the troops over the half time break certainly worked. The visitors flew out of the traps and within a minute were on level terms when Marc Pelling headed in from close range following a Dan Sullivan corner. Two minutes later Nick Sullivan scored a great goal after good work from first team debutant Jamie Hillwood. On 56 minutes Pelling scored again from close in after another set piece. There was a touch of controversy on this one as the home side protested furiously that keeper Mitchell Bromage had been impeded. One minute later irrepressible man of the match Michael Belli made it four. The final flourish came right at the end when great play by striker Oli Leslie saw him play a perfect pass for substitute Lee Thomas to fire a rocket past the keeper from just inside the area. It was a great result and a real confidence boost for the Anvils that simply did not look on the cards at half time.
Crawley Down Gatwick: Seb Bos, Josh Martin, Billy Wraight (Williams Peauroux), Michael Spence, Marc Pelling, Sam Packham, Dan Sullivan (Lee Thomas), Michael Belli, Nick Sullivan (Johden de Meyer), Oli Leslie, Jamie Hillwood. Unused Sub: James Day