To the Broadmead Stadium for this cup replay after Saturday's 0-0 draw. And mighty impressive it is too. A proper stadium, probably built 4 or 5 years ago, everything about the match day arrangements reminded me of Chester and the Deva Stadium a few years ago. These people are certainly ready for Conference football.
More team changes are forced on Steve Castle with Murray and Wraight un-available. The team was Jackman in goal, 4 at the back: Seeby, Brown (C), Campbell, and Jones; 4 in the middle: Williams, Deacon, Castle and Oakes; and up front: Martin and De Souza. On the bench: Richards, Oxby, Cross, Tomlinson and Taylor.
This was a strange one. On any statistic apart from the score-line, Crawley won the first 90 minutes by a country mile. Chances, half-chances, corner kicks, possession, position, what-might-have-been's, whatever, Town were all over City, and yet the Saints had their chances to win this tie.
Against the run of play in the opening exchanges, and from nowhere, Saints took the lead on 8 minutes. Deacon won the ball in midfield, found Williams who shipped it to Martin wide on the right. Good skill to beat his man and in came an inch-perfect cross for De Souza to loop a fine header over the home keeper. 0-1.
De Souza had another chance moments later when a second header fizzed just high and 10 minutes later, the home side drew level. A short cross was whipped in from the left, Wilson-Dennis flicked the ball between Brown and Jackman at the near post and it cannoned into the empty net off the retreating Campbell. 1-1.
For the rest of proper time Crawley were in control and only their poor shooting, stalwart defence by the Saints back-line and the heroics of Jackman, aided by the woodwork, kept them out. Campbell suffered a broken nose on the half hour and was replaced by Cross who did well. Jones who had another sound game was injured and replaced by Tomlinson just before the hour.
Saints had their chances, the best coming in the last few seconds of injury time, when Williams and then Martin twice had shots blocked in a goal-mouth scramble. F.T. 1-1.
I forgot to mention that Crawley brought on Joff Vansittart and Mo Hankin with 20 minutes to go and these two gave width, pace and skill to the home sides attack. It was Vansittart who scored 34 seconds into extra time when his firm shot from the edge of the box was deflected past the helpless Jackman. 2-1. Oakes was replaced by Richards.
Extra time was very similar to the first 90 minutes. One way traffic with a couple of chances falling to City. Martin screwed a shot wide and De Souza, who worked his socks off tonight, had a couple of headers just off target. The difference was that Town scored and two late goals wrapped it up. F.T. 4-1.
A disappointing night for St. Albans City. The midfield was over-run by a hard working and skilful Crawley back 4 and midfield. The Saints defence was hard-pressed throughout and they will know they have been in a hard game. Jackman was my MotM closely followed by De Souza. Town's strikers were woeful in front of goal and the two home subs will be delighted with their contribution.
Entertainment 6/10. Technical Merit 4/10. Atmosphere 5/10. Referee 3/10.
Next up. Three in a row at Clarence Park. Hendon in the League on Saturday, Hoddesdon in the Cup on Tuesday and Carshalton Athletic in a League game on Saturday week. With players dropping like flies at this rate, I'll bring my boots for the Carshalton game.
Report by Awayday |
