news-engine

Crawley Town player ratings: FIVE 8s after heroic defensive display cruelly ends in last-minute heartbreak against Watford Crawley Town lost 1-0 to Championship side Watford in the first round of the Carabao Cup at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon (August 8). Marc Bola scored the only goal of the game with a cracker that found the top left corner in the ninth minute of added time. The Reds went toe to toe with a side two leagues above them and defended courageously throughout, but they were eventually beaten by the Hornets who finally put one of their chances to bed after countless opportunities to score. Here is how the Crawley players rated after what was a great defensive showing, despite the result: Vito Mannone: 8 – The former Premier League goalkeeper’s decision making was spot on, knowing when to play it long to help relieve some of the pressure for the Reds, and alternatively when to play out from the back. The Italian also pulled off some incredible saves. The home side needed something special to get past the 38-year-old and unfortunately that came in the dying embers of the game. Kellan Gordon: 7 (OFF 76’) – Whipped in some dangerous balls and made some intelligent runs down Crawley’s right hand side. The 28-year-old had a great chance to score for the Reds when he blazed a shot over the bar from 12 yards out following Barker’s chance. Was part of a backline that put in a great defensive showing before departing the field of play with 15 minutes left to play. Charlie Barker: 8 –Made some really crucial blocks and battled well against Watford’s number nine Luca Kjerrumgaard, coming out on top from the duel on many occasions. The centre-back had a great opportunity from a free-kick sliding in at the back post, but his effort was parried away by the Watford keeper. Malcolm Ebiowei: 6 (OFF 64’) – Struggled to impact the game as much as he’d like but showed some flashes of brilliance with some neat footwork. Crawley’s number 7 was withdrawn from action twenty minutes into the second half. Louie Watson: 7 –He always looked to get on the ball whether that be finding the pockets, which he is very effective at, or dropping deep to try and impact the game. The former Derby County man had a few opportunities to line one up. Stephen Duke-McKenna: 7 – One of Crawley’s most energetic and creative players, particularly in the first half. The Reds’ first outfield summer signing got stuck in, running at players and cutting inside the pitch looking to get a shot away or find a teammate with a cross. Gianmarco Di Biase: 6 (OFF 56’) - The youngster led the line again as he looked to score in consecutive games following his goal against York City. He was isolated from the game and didn’t really see much of the ball before coming off injured ten minutes into the second half. Jude Arthurs: 7 - Battled hard at the heart of Crawley’s midfield alongside Krasniqi. The Crawley captain covered a lot of distance during the game doing the defensive side, tracking back and making tackles while also driving the Reds forward and picking up the ball in attacking positions. Ade Adeyemo: 8 (OFF 76’) - He defended extremely well against Kwadwo Baah, who saw a lot of the ball down Watford’s right, and put in some excellent sliding challenges at important times. The former Cray Valley Paper Mills player had a lot more defending to do as Watford dominated the ball and was therefore limited in his attacking influence on the game. Akin Odimayo: 8 (OFF 76’) –Was Crawley’s only change from their previous outing. He slotted into the back line partnered alongside Charlie Barker at centre back. He headed everything that came his way and made some really important last-ditch tackles. Rarely put a foot wrong during the match and was by far his best performance in a Crawley shirt since he joined in January. Klaudio Krasniqi: 7 - Was involved in a very physical battle in midfield but battled well. When he had time on the ball, he was able to unlock his fantastic range of passing with switches of play out to the left and right. SUBSTITUTES: Pemi Aderoju: 6 (ON 56’) –The Peterborough loanee used his physicality really well when he came to hold up the ball and bring players into the game but no real chances came his way to get on the scoresheet. Osman Kamara: 8 (ON 64’) - He was Crawley’s best attacking outlet in the second half and gave Watford’s left back a real tough time. The teenager tracked back well at times to help his team out when they were under pressure. Jonny Russell: 6 (ON 76’) - Slotted into left back when he came on and made some superb defensive recoveries and last ditch tackles while also trying to drive the Reds forward. Omari Mrishu: 6 (ON 76’) - One of Crawley’s trialists who was given a permanent contract made his debut for the Reds and filled the boots of Adeyemo well. Pele Arganese-McDermott: 6 (ON 76’) - The Tottenham academy product came on to try and help the Reds see it out to penalties and he made no mistake, followed his man well and made some good challenges when they were needed.