CONFERENCE: Crawley Town news bulletin
Crawley climb to sixth
Crawley Town made it three wins out of three as a 2-1 victory against Scarborough on Saturday lifted them to sixth place in the Nationwide Conference. An own goal by the Seadogs' Kevin Nicholson following a Neil Jenkins free-kick and an Allan Tait strike - after 38 and 49 minutes respectively - took the Red Devils into a 2-0 lead. The visitors reduced the deficit through Steve Burton with three minutes remaining.
The success against the former Football League club takes Crawley to 30 points from 18 matches, just one point from the play-off places and two off third spot.
Crawley travel to neighbours East Grinstead on Tuesday night in the Second Round of the Sussex Senior Cup. Kick-off is at 7.15pm. Manager Francis Vines welcomes back defender Sean Hankin and midfielder Robert Kember to his squad after the pair served one-match suspensions on Saturday for collecting five bookings. Striker Charlie MacDonald is the only injury concern as he continues to recover from a groin injury.
Crawley are without a match this Saturday as scheduled opponents Halifax Town are playing in the FA Cup. The next Conference match is a week on Tuesday (7th December) when leaders Barnet visit the Broadfield Stadium, kick-off 7.45pm.
Saturday 27 November - Nationwide Conference
Crawley Town 2 (Nicholson og 38, Tait 49)
Scarborough 1 (Burton 87)
Attendance: 1,804
Crawley: Phil Smith, Ben Judge, Ryan Palmer, Joe Dolan, Ian Simpemba, Mo Harkin (Sub: Charlie Mapes), Paul Armstrong, Simon Wormull, Danny Marney (Sub: Danny Davidson), Allan Tait, Neil Jenkins
Unused subs: Andy Little, Kevin Hemsley, Robert Traynor
Other news
Crawley Town have drawn Ryman League Premier Division side Worthing at home in the Third Round of the FA Trophy. The match will be played on Saturday 15 January. Crawley have never progressed past the third round of the competition. Ex-Red Devil stalwarts Marc Pullan and Stewart Holmes are expected to return to the Broadfield Stadium with their new side.
Crawley Town are requesting that season-ticket holders and unaccompanied Junior Reds members help to ease potential congestion at the home match with Barnet on Tuesday 7 December by entering via Gate 26 instead of the turnstiles.
Injury news
Striker Charlie MacDonald's scan on his injured groin has returned clear and he will resume training shortly.
Reserve/Youth News
Crawley Town reserves earned a 2-2 draw at home to Stevenage Borough last Wednesday in the Pontins Holidays Combination League. The reserves' next match is away to Millwall on Tuesday 21 December, kick-off 2.00pm.
The youth team are away at Hornchurch in the Football Conference Youth League Southern Division this Thursday 2 December. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
