Saturdays match was a real top of the table game against a 2nd placed Crawley team who have been scoring goals for fun and could go ahead of us and top the table with a win. It was a very even start to the game with both teams playing well and almost taking it in turns to apply pressure .
After 15 minutes Deon Mubaiwa pressured the Crawley defence into a mistake but from the edge of the area managed to narrowly miss with the goal at his mercy. The first half was a real scrap in midfield with both teams trying to gain the ascendancy. The first half ended with few clear chances to score. The back 3 for Cranleigh had played very well first half limiting the Crawley attack to a few half chances with were ably dealt with by Isaac Denton – Miller deputising in goal for the injured Alastair Hill
It was felt that we needed to press the Crawley team more in the second have and wrest control of the middle .
At the start of the 2nd half Cranleigh came out with a lot more aggression and purpose and proceeded to dominate the midfield . Cranleigh were rewarded after 7 minutes when a fantastic through ball by Isaac ( ginger ) Holt who released Deon who broke free and calmly beat the keeper to put us 1-0 with his 20 th goal of the season. At 1-0 up you never feel safe but with a back 3 of Charlie Obrien , Buster Boomer and Jack Westerman dominating the Crawley attack I felt confident we could keep them out.
Half way through the 2nd half a great break down the right by Sullivan Howick who easily beat the full back and crossed to Toby Davies in the area . Toby was in a good position for a shot but instead unselfishly drew the defence before rolling the ball across to the unmarked Deon for our 2nd goal. Passing moves and unselfish team play is beginning to be a hallmark of the Cranleigh team. After going 2-0 up Crawley began to really press forward and put our defence under pressure .
With Crawley starting to create chances Ethan Payne and Isaac Holt who had both been immense in the centre of midfield decided that Isaac would now sit in front of the defence while Ethan held the centre of the pitch . This was worked out by the players on the pitch and I decided to go with it and see how it progressed.
The plan worked to perfection with the Crawley chances drying up and Ethan finding more space to push forward . More chances for Cranleigh followed with Deon twice hitting the woodwork (well plastic) of the Crawley goal and narrowly missing with a header
Final whistle 2-0 to Cranleigh and a fantastic team display especially in the 2nd half.
A massive mention for the Cranleigh defence who are turning in the best defensive unit in the league who take no prisoners. This was epitomised by Busters full time comment said with great pride of “ we made 3 of their players cry “ obviously by fair but hard tackling only .
SCORERS – Deon Mubaiwa -2
Men of the Match: The Cranleigh defence – Buster Boomer , Charlie Obrien , Jack Westerman
