Thursday, July 31, 2003
DOUBLE HEADER FOR RESERVES
The Reserves will play a double header on Saturday when they visit Steyning. A youth based side run by Tony Elkins-Green will kick-off at 1pm, with a more experienced side at 3pm run by reserve team manager Larry Rushin.
RESERVES HOME DEFEAT
The Reserve side played their only home pre-season friendly on Wednesday, against a Brighton & Hove Albion Select XI. The visitors proved to strong for the Reds second string and went away 4-0 victors.
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
INTERMEDIATE CUP DRAW
The Reserves have been drawn away to Eastbourne Town in the 1st Round of the Sussex Intermediate Challenge Cup. The tie will be played on 11 October 2003, kick-off 3pm. The winners of the match will have a home tie against Crawley Down in the 2nd Round.
SUSSEX SENIOR CUP DRAW
Crawley have been drawn at home in the 2nd Round of the Sussex Senior Cup, with Horsham YMCA as the opponents. No date has yet been fixed for the tie, although it is to be played on or before 15 November 2003.
FORDE BRACE SINKS BRIDGES
A brace from trialist Fabian Forde, along with another strike from Charlie McDonald saw the Reds to a 3-0 victory over local County League side Three Bridges at Jubliee Field on Tuesday evening. Reds fans were pleased to see Jim Rodwell turn out for Crawley after reports last week suggested he was set to jet off to the United States to take up a coaching post at Dallas Sidekicks.
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
BRIDGES UP NEXT
Crawley make the short journey across town on Tuesday (29th July) evening when they play Three Bridges at Jubilee Field, kick-off 7.45pm.
RESERVES HOME ON WEDNESDAY
The Reserve sides next friendly is on Wednesday (30th July) evening when they play their only pre-season friendly at the Broadfield Stadium. A Brighton & Hove Albion Select XI are the visitors, kick-off 7.45pm.
TWO WINS ON TOUR
The Reds secured two wins during their tour of Drebyshire over the weekend, beating Ilkeston Town 4-0 and Buxton 4-2. Charlie McDonald (v Ilkeston) and Fabian Forde (v Buxton) both scored hat-tricks.
Saturday saw the Reds line-up against recently relegated Ilkeston Town. With Francis Vines fielding his strongest side available he saw Charlie McDonald grab a hat-trick, taking his pre-season tally to 5. Mo Harkin scored the other as Crawley registered a comfortable victory.
On to Sunday and the second match in the mini-tour, this time against Buxton. Vines made 8 changes to starting line-up which played at Ilkeston, the most noticable of which was Jamie Anderson appearing in goal in place of Andy Little. Trailist Forde bagged his hat-trick with Shaheen Sadough scoring the other. Anderson also saved a penalty.
Friday, July 25, 2003
RESERVES SCORE TWO WINS
The Reserves won both friendlies played on Thursday evening, at Peacehaven & Telscombe and at Forest. They beat Peacehaven & Telscombe by 2-1 with Mamadou Jallow adding to an own goal to see the Reds triumphant. Meanwhile at Forest goals from Clinton Moore, Georgie Smith and two from Josh Lyons secured a 4-2 victory.
Their next friendly is on Wednesday (30th July) evening when they play their only pre-season friendly at the Broadfield Stadium. A Brighton & Hove Albion Select XI are the visitors, kick-off 7.45pm.
ALLIANCE MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
It's been revealed this week what the membership criteria will be for Conference North and South when it forms at the beginning of season 2004-05. Essentially should Crawley not win the league next season they need to finish in 13th place or higher to secure inclusion.
Finishing between 14th place and 18th will result in the Reds inclusion in a couple of play-off matches before a place is won. There are financial and ground requirements too, details of which can be found here. The play-offs will work as follows;
Game 1: Eastern Champions v Western Champions
Game 2: 15th v 18th
Game 3: 16th v 17th
Game 4: 14th v Winner of Game 1
Game 5: Winner of Game 2 v Winner of Game 3
The venue for Game 1 will be decided by drawing of lots.
The winners of Games 4 and 5 will qualify for inclusion in Conference North or South, depending on location.
Thursday, July 24, 2003
TOUR SQUAD ANNOUNCED
The squad for this weekends friendlies at Ilkeston Town and Buxton has been announced. One absentee is Joff Vansittart who is injured, whilst Ian Payne, Scott Kirkwood and John Timlin are unavailable. The squad in full reads;
Andy Little, Jamie Anderson, Ben Judge, Glen Matten, Justin Gregory, Ellis Hooper, Marc Pullen, Kevin Hemsley, Steve Causon, Matt Ottley, Mo Harkin, Paul Armstrong, Stewart Holmes, Lee Riddell, Robert Smith, Justin Harris, Jay Richardson, Nigel Brake, Charlie McDonald, Fabien Forde, Aidan Danaher, Shaheen Sadough, Francis Vines.
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
NEXT RESERVE MATCHES
The Reserve team will be playing 2 games on Thursday (24 July) evening, when one side visits Peacehaven & Telscombe, whilst another makes the trip to Horsham to play Forest. The Forest game kicks-off at 6.30pm, whilst the Peacehaven match starts at 7.30pm.
RESERVES LOSE FIRST FRIENDLY
The Reserve side played their first friendly on Tuesday. The Reds visited Sussex County League side Arundel, where they ended up on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline.
LIONS TAME REDS
Nationwide league side Millwall visited the Broadfield Stadium on Tuesday evening for Crawley's latest pre-season friendly. The visitors included ex-England international Dennis Wise, who had a helping hand in a couple of goals that saw The Lions win 3-0.
Ben Judge came close for Crawley during in the first half, with a header tipped on to the crossbar by Tony Warner in the Millwall goal. The deadlock was broken on 42 minutes however, when Paul Ifill fired home from 25 yards after a short free-kick by Wise. The second came just after the restart when Tim Cahill headed home another Wise free-kick. The third came 11 minutes from time, again through a header, courtesy of Darren Ward.
Despite the loss Crawley can take heart from a number of performances, with Jim Rodwell impressing at the back in his first game for the Reds. Elsewhere Armstong, Vansittart and McDonald can all be pleased with how they are shaping up.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
FA YOUTH CUP DETAILS
The draw for the FA Youth Cup has been made, with the Reds drawn at home in the 1st Round Qualifying against the winners of Chipstead and Maidenhead United who must first battle it out in a Preliminary Round.
The tie will take place at the Broadfield Stadium on Monday 1st September, kick-off 7.45pm. The Reds will be hoping to emulate the run that local side Three Bridges had in the same competition last season. They managed to reach the 2nd Round Proper and were rewarded with an away tie at Cardiff City.
Monday, July 21, 2003
MILLWALL UP NEXT
Crawley's next pre-season friendly is on Tuesday evening when they play host to Nationwide league side Millwall. The Lions are set to bring a full strength side down for the match, including ex-England international Dennis Wise.
Mark McGee is looking to sign Arsenal star Maldonado "Juan" Duarte on loan, and has been given permission by the Gunners to play him in their pre-season campaign. Duarte scored in their win over Dulwich Hamlet at the weekend, and looks set to play against the Reds. Other players likely to feature include Neil Harris and Stuart Nethercott.
RESERVES SET FOR FIRST FRIENDLY
The Reserve side play their first friendly on Tuesday, when they visit Sussex County League side Arundel. The Crawley squad will include a number of players who turned out for the first team on Saturday against Brighton, with Glenn Matten, Scott Kirkwood, Shaheen Sadough all likely to feature.
BRIGHTON EDGE IT
Two second half goals from Chris McPhee were enough to give Brighton victory at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday. Things could have been so different though had Francis Vines not made wholesale changes at half time, when the Reds were leading 1-0. Crawley's lead came through Paul Armstrong, who scored his second goal for Crawley in only his second game, just before the interval.
The side that came out for Crawley was pretty much their second string and it was always going to be hard to hold onto the slender lead. The visitors equaliser came on 68 minutes. Albion then had to wait until the closing stages before they secured the win though, with a great effort from McPhee giving Little no chance in the Crawley goal.
Thursday, July 17, 2003
BRIGHTON PREVIEW
After an impressive start to their pre-season campaign the Reds next match is against Nationwide League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. The visitors are expected to include highly rated striker Bobby Zamora.
Steve Coppell's Brighton side started their pre-season campaign on Wednesday with a 5-1 victory over County League side Arundel. Zamora did not feature in the match as he was granted extra time off after playing for the England U21's at the end of last season. Their side did include many regular faces however, along with trailists Carl Wilson-Denis, who impressed in his first appearance for the Seagulls, and Darryl Flahavan between the posts. Brighton are keen to sign a goalkeeper after contract talks with veteran goalie Dave Beasant have stalled, and hope Flahavan can fill that void.
Update 18/03/03 - Brighton have agreed a transfer fee with Tottenham for Bobby Zamora, so the striker will not be part of the team that plays at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday.
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE
Tickets for the friendly against Brighton are still available from the club shop, and will be available up until mid-day on Saturday. With the match all-ticket at the request of Crawley Police fans are reminded that they will not be able to just turn up and expect to get in.
Monday, July 14, 2003
SHIELD WIN FOR REDS
A brace from Charlie McDonald, along with a goal from Paul Armstrong saw Crawley win the Dr Martens Championship Match at Tamworth. Both sides made a number of changes from that which finished last season, but it was the Reds that came out on top over the Conference new boys.
Armstrong set the Reds on the way to victory as he slotted home on 28 minutes. McDonald then grabbed his first before the interval, with his second shortly after the restart. Tamworth did find the back of the net through Brett Darby but his effort was ruled out for offside. McDonald almost completed his hat-trick as the game drew to a close but his effort just went the wrong side of the post.
Thursday, July 10, 2003
LEAGUE FIXTURES RELEASED
The Dr Martens League fixtures have been released and Crawley will be at home to Merthyr Tydfil on the opening day of the season. The Reds first away fixture is the following Tuesday when they travel to Dover Athletic. On Boxing Day they travel to Havant & Waterlooville, before entertaining Welling United on New Years Day. The return Welling fixture is on Easter Monday, with the last game of the season scheduled for Weston-Super-Mare. The full fixture list can be found here.
Monday, July 07, 2003
TAMWORTH PREVIEW
League Cup winners Crawley first friendly of the season is on Saturday when they travel to the League Champions, Tamworth, for the Dr Martens Championship Match. Francis Vines' side take on a Tamworth side that has seen a few changes since they lifted the league title in May.
Darron Gee's side no longer includes defensive stalwart Steve Walsh, having been released after applying for the managers role at Grantham. Neither does it include Darren Acton, who has signed for near-by Nuneaton after he was released on disciplinary grounds. With Michael Swan moving on to Hednesford, Mark Hallam to Halesowen and Brian McGorry to Nuneaton the Tamworth side will be different to the one we saw at the Broadfield Stadium in the closing stages of the last campaign.
Needless to say with Conference football just around the corner for The Lambs their players will be out to prove that they are worthy of a place in their starting line-up ahead of the new season. Let's hope though the Reds can win their first trophy of the season on a ground they last won on in October 2000.
FA CUP AND TROPHY DRAWS MADE
The FA have made the draws for the early stages of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. Crawley however, do not yet feature as they have exemptions in both competitions. The Reds will enter the FA Cup in the 2nd Qualifying Round, which is to be played on Saturday 27th September, and the FA Trophy on Saturday 29th November in the 2nd Round. Details of these draws will be announced on here once they have been made.
DR MARTENS CUP NEWS
Crawley will have to wait until the 3rd Round of the Dr Martens Cup before they try to keep hold of the trophy they won in April. The Reds will join the competition in December, along with the majority of sides from the Premier Division.
Thursday, July 03, 2003
RESTRUCTURE LATEST
An interview with John Moules of the Nationwide Conference can be found at Pyramidfootball.co.uk. He goes on to mention how the new divisions will take shape, and how the leagues below will also be effected and how that is being addressed too.
The gist of the article is if, heaven forbid, we don't win the league next season we need to finish 13th or higher to be included in the new division, on the basis all clubs above us meet the ground and financial criteria laid out.
This is because the winners of the current 5 feeders to the Dr Martens, Unibond and Rymans will be included in Conference North and South. So long as the top teams in each of those divisions meets the ground and financial criteria, they will be promoted straight into the Conference North and South. Those five clubs, plus the three relegated from the Conference, plus the 36 in the top two-thirds of the Premier feeders will constitute the 44 teams that will make up the Conference North and South.
That could mean that the top sides in the Dr Martens Eastern etc will leap-frog all of the teams in the bottom thirds of the higher divisions. If, for instance, we finished 14th in the Dr Martens Premier at the end of next season and Hastings United finished top of the Eastern, then Hastings would catapult over us to the higher level.
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
ALBION MATCH ALL-TICKET
Crawley's friendly against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday 19th July has been made all-ticket and will be segregated. Tickets for the match can be purchased from the Broadfield Stadium from mid-day on Friday 4th July. Ticket prices can be found here. This friendly, as with all the others, is included in the price of a season ticket.
COOKSEY'S LATICS TRIAL?
A report on the back page of the Crawley Observer today leads with the news that Reds midfielder Ernie Cooksey could be in line for a trial at Oldham Athletic. The possible trial has been lined up by Bob Dowie, the chief scout at Oldham, who was Cooksey's boss at Chesham. Cooksey, who starred in the Reds line-up last season, has yet to put pen to paper for the forthcoming season. Reds fans will be pleased to know that he was present for Crawley's first training season on Monday (30 June).
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