Date: Saturday 25th March, 2006
Competition: Nationwide Conference
Referee: Mr. D. McDermid
Att: 1,472 (away 327)
Weather at kick-off: drizzle, overcast

United's four-match unbeaten run was ended in the rain at Crawley in a poor match in which first half chances to score were wasted and Rob Wolleaston was sent off.

Rob Newman made two changes to the side that drew at home to Halifax last weekend, recalling the fit-again David Bridges and striker Jamie Guy, who has been permitted by Colchester United to resume his work experience spell with United. The men to make way were Darren Quinton (ankle injury) and Mbiyeye Medine.

Crawley boss John Hollins named the same side that ground out a 1-0 win against follow strugglers Forest Green last weekend, including former United men Tony Scully and Lee Blackburn.

The home side started brightly and Omari Coleman was allowed to advance unchallenged before his deep cross was collected by Scott Howie, while seconds later Tony Scully raced clear and earned a corner, leaving Rob Newman remonstrating angrily with his defence.

Howie made a punched clearance at the corner and Westcarr caused a scare in the Crawley defence as he charged down a goalkick as the home side looked slightly nervous when pressured.

The drizzle at kick-off had turned into patches of heavy rain, making the conditions slippery, and Rob Wolleaston lost control of a bobbling ball in the seventh minute and responded by lunging into Judge, causing a scuffle among several players before he received a yellow card.

There were further signs of nervousness in the Crawley defence when goalkeeper Phil Smith scooped a Brady free kick behind under little pressure, Courtney Pitt drilled a shot wide of the near post in the 11th minute, but then Scully came to the fore against his old team. First he connected with a long throw that had not been cleared by the United defence but volleyed it over the stand, then the Irishman found space down the left and tricked his way into area, his shot hacked off the line by Andy Duncan.

On 16 Guy's snap shot was turned behind but as Brady floated in a dangerous corner Andy Duncan gave away a free kick for a push at the far post. Guy was getting increasingly into the game and five minutes later he was allowed a free header at a corner needlessly given away by a shaky looking Smith in the Crawley goal, but nodded wide.

On 22 Coleman made a good run but was well-marshalled by Duncan who forced him wide and when the Crawley striker eventually got his shot away Howie made a safe catch, and four minutes later the same man evaded two to challenges to get into the area and his powerful shot drew a good save from Howie who dived to turn the ball behind.

The big Scot was called into action again on 31 as Armstrong's snap shot from 20 yards dipped late and was collected, and two minutes later several United players contributed to good build-up down the left before a good cross to Brady at the far post, but the Australian directed his downward header wide.

On 37 Jamie Guy showed his willingness to shoot with a 20-yard shot that curled over the bar, and a minute later the offside Coleman was allowed to advance from an offside position and his cross towards the supporting Burton was cut out by the alert Duncan.

With a low-key half drawing to a close, Jaszczun clipped the heels of Burton in the 42nd minute, which led to an angry confrontation between the two men and resulted in a yellow card for both, and a minute later Brady made a good run and tried to pull the ball back for Westcarr but the ball ran behind the U's striker to sum up a very disappointing first half.

Half-time summary from match commentator Mark Johnson:
"As halves go it would have to improve to be called 'scrappy' but United still had chances to be two-up at the break, Guy and Brady both missing free headers from close range. Half-time 0-0."

Second half:
Crawley again started the half brightly and a ball into the United area was met by a looping header from Burton but he directed it too close to Howie and the U's keeper collected safely.

Two minutes later David Bridges started a move by picking out the run of Brady, whose good cross was headed behind, and on 51 Guy lifted a cross-shot narrowly over the bar, but in the 56th minute Crawley won a corner and defender Chris Giles rose to lift a looping header over Howie to give the home side the lead.

The goal lifted the Reds and Tony Scully advanced into space to drive a shot from 25 yards that Heeroo blocked. At the other end Jamie Guy sneaked behind the defence on 61 and drew a good save from Smith, but Crawley's Coleman again found space to test Howie with another shot.

Rob Newman responded to Crawley's increasing pressure in the 65th minute and sent on young left back Danny Bunce for Gavin Heeroo, who was being run ragged by Scully. The resulting reshuffle at the back saw Matt Bloomer move over to right back and Tommy Jaszczun moved in from the left to partner Andy Duncan in the centre.

The afternoon got worse for United when Wolleaston protested the award of a corner to Crawley and collected his second booking of the afternoon for dissent, leaving his team down to ten men with 20 minutes left.

Within three minutes Scully again weaved his way into the area and tried rounding Howie to shoot but the ball was plucked off his tow by the alert Howie. Bridges was booked for a foul on Burton and United's best attacking move of the half came on 77 when the ball was set up for Bunce and his first time shot from 20 yards was turned behind.

The corner was scrambled away and United's next change came a minute later when the tiring Westcarr was replaced by teenager Mbiyeye Medine.

The youngster kept the home defenders on their toes with his pace and strength and Smith had to make a brave save with eight minutes left when Medine was brought down by Giles and Pitt's free kick caused a scramble in the area, while Coleman fired a shot wide from 12 yards.

A minute later Scully received the ball in acres of space but failed to find the target from just outside the area, and with five minutes left John Hollins made his first change to send on Ekoku for Coleman, who left the pitch to applause from the home fans.

An already disappointing game petered out in the drizzle with United looking bereft of ideas and the home side content to preserve their third successive 1-0 win, with only a Steve Burton shot wide from 20 yards to interest either goalkeeper.

Wrapped up by match commentator Mark Johnson:
"More away day misery for United who were sunk without a trace in the quagmire at Crawley. It was a scrappy match in atrocious conditions but the U's would have been two-up at the break had Jamie Guy and Jon Brady converted free headers from close range. The usually solid U's defence then allowed Chris Giles to settle to match from a 56th minute free kick and United's misery was complete when Rob Wolleaston earned a second yellow card for 'striking an aggressive posture' after disputing a 20 minutes from time. If this is a learning process then there is some serious homework still to be handed in."

Man of the Match:
"Andy Duncan - who was solid and reliable at the heart of the defence; a real captain's performance. Honourable mentions to Matt Bloomer for another solid performance and Jon Brady, who ran his socks off."

Referee:
"Mr McDermid - tried to keep the game flowing, looked to play advantage when possible and didn't do a lot wrong, with assistants who lived up to their job titles. 7/10"

[League table

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