HOLLINS: THEY GAVE THEIR ALL
Crawley boss John Hollins demanded more of the same after Saturday's 2-0 home win over Altrincham.

The Red Devils face three away trips in the next ten days and Hollins said more points are there to be won at Kidderminster, Canvey Island and Gravesend if his side maintain their performance level.

“It wasn't a surprise. We have trained well this week and prepared properly.

“The ball zips around a bit on the wet pitch and that helped us to establish the tempo we have been trying to get into our game and they couldn't handle it.

“Our first goal was as good as you will see anywhere. We know they can do it because they do it every day in practice.

“There are no gimmes in this league and you have to fight for every kick and it was there today. I can't fault anyone because they all gave 200 per cent right through the team.

“However, it means nothing if we go to Kidderminster and lose. I know we have two other away games in the next week but we're just looking at Kidderminster on Tuesday.

“You can't get more than three points from any game. This was the 16 th game to go and now we look at the next one. This league will not allow you to get complacent.”

Hollins explained that midfielder Simon Wormull had missed the game with a toe injury.

“Simon's toe is not broken but he has been taking painkillers for it and it's better for him not to play on it as he could do more damage. We'd rather have him for the last 14 games than ask him to play this one and lose him for longer.”

CLARE: WE'RE UP FOR THE FIGHT
Crawley striker Daryl Clare took his tally for the season to 11 with a double against Altrincham and said the Reds squad are determined to dig themselves out of a hole.

“We know we are responsible for the position the club is in and we are doing our best to put it right,” said Clare.

“Today was a start and now we need to keep it going. We were all together and fought for the cause. It was an improved performance from the last two or three games and we looked like a better team.

“The players' confidence will be lifted by today and we have three games this week which is an opportunity to catch up with the rest of the teams.

“There are five teams at the bottom now but we have four games in hand on Scarborough and other teams like Canvey Island could still get dragged into it. If we can pick up points and make it a seven or eight team battle then that would suit us."

REDS ON THE RISE AGAINST ROCKY ROBINS
Crawley Town began their climb off the bottom of the Conference table with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Altrincham at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday.

After sailing through choppy waters in recent matches, the Red Devils changed tack and a swashbuckling performance saw them plunder the treasured three points.

Striker Steve Burton returned to partner Daryl Clare up front and Lee Blackburn started on the left of midfield, with skipper Ian Simpemba in the centre of the park and new signing Danny Clay named on the bench.

The Red Devils took command from the start with Clare brought down on the edge of the area in the first minute and the leading scorer might have opened his account in the fourth minute when a poor defensive header gave Tony Scully space on the right and the winger's quick cross to the near post saw Clare's scissor kick fly wide.

Two minutes later Burton charged through after a delightful pass from Blackburn but the ball did not fall kindly for the home side as chaos reigned in the Alty area.

The game was then held up for five minutes as Altrincham's Ged Murphy was carried off with a gashed leg but the Reds quickly rediscovered their stride after the hold-up and Blackburn's persistence gave Scully a chance to chip a pass just beyond Burton .

After 20 minutes it was the busy Blackburn again supplying Scully, whose cross this time broke to Ben Judge but the defender's shot was comfortable for visiting keeper Stuart Coburn.

Burton played in Clare after 26 minutes but the striker's shot after a turn was saved and Paul Armstrong was next in line to have a couple of pops at the Alty goal, poking a left-footed shot wide and then glancing a header into Coburn's arms.

The keeper's big punt forward after that gave his side their first opportunity but his counterpart Phil Smith was alert to smother the ball as James Robinson closed in on goal.

And the home side's pressure finally paid off with a sweet goal after 35 minutes. A great combination between Burton and Clare in midfield released Scully on the right, he played it back to Burton on the right side of the area and his centre was bundled in at the near post by Clare for his tenth Conference goal of the season.

Clare's diving header went wide from a Judge cross after 41 minutes and as the half came to a close more harrying from Blackburn saw him win the ball and slide a pass through to Clare on the left side of the area only for the striker to fire his shot wide of the near post.

There was still time for Alty to manufacture their best chance of the half as top scorer Colin Little cut the ball back for Rod Thornley, whose effort was superbly blocked by Judge.

The second half began with a bang as Alty reacted angrily to an Armstrong tackle and a melee in front of the main stand ended with the Crawley midfielder and two Robins being cautioned.

Armstrong responded by setting up Clare to flick wide at the near post after 54 minutes and soon afterwards a smart interception by Simpemba enabled Scully and Clare to tee up Burton who went close at the near post.

The second goal, which always seemed likely to be enough, arrived on the hour. This time an interception by Leo Mendy, who had a fine game at the heart of the Reds defence, enabled Clare to race through the middle and Coburn was only able to palm the striker's effort up and backwards, turning round to see it nestle in the back of the net.

Altrincham lost their discipline in the closing stages but it needed another sound tackle by Judge to deny Little, who had looked offside, after 77 minutes and Crawley boss John Hollins introduced striker Danny Ekoku, Clay and youngster Scott Marshall in the closing stages.

Result: Saturday 18 February (Nationwide Conference)
Crawley Town 2 (Clare 35, 60)
Altrincham 0
Att: 1,085
Crawley Town: Smith, Judge, Opinel, Mendy, Woozley, Scully, Armstrong, Simpemba, Blackburn (Clay 84), Clare ( Marshall 90), Burton (Ekoku 82).
Unused subs: Ward, Jenkins.