Crawley Town 0 Exeter City 2.
Saturday 15th October 2005.

The Late, late Crawley Show
Report by London Exiles- Nick Southwood 

Last Saturday I made the short journey to Crawley for the visit of Exeter City. Last season's 1-0 win at Crawley was probably the best game of last season as far as i'm concerned. I know the two Man United games were big, and made a big pot of cash for the club, but in terms of sheer fun and enjoyment the win at Crawley was the tops. The sunny day last time, combined with a rampant display on the pitch and wall to wall singing from a packed away end meant it came out ahead. Could this seasons visit be as good?

Well, the weather was just as sunny, a real mid october treat. I set off from home at the decidedly tardy time of 12:15, stopped in Tonbridge to pick up a fellow Grecian before completing the trip via the M25 and M23 and parking in the grounds car park at just after 
After last season where I missed out on a programme I decided to head for the club shop and bag one early. The shop had just opened when we found it and in I went. As luck would have it I found a copy of last seasons offering in a box on the counter (sold out indeed). However, the man at the till was having an Arkwright moment with his till and couldn't get the thing to work. It took nearly 15 minutes for him to serve the three people in front of me, each time he'd struggle to get the till to work and each time the young lad with him would come over, press a few buttons and sort it out. Each time he'd mutter that it didn't do that when he'd tried it.
After that we needed a drink. So off to the nearby pub. However, it was a case of deja vu as we waited ages for the barmaid to get around to serving us. Eventually we headed outside to enjoy the sunshine and catch up with the news.

At 2:45 I set off for the ground and paid my £11 to get in. I heard a few people moaning that all the programmes were sold out. Well, if its any consolation the programme is one of the worst I've ever paid for. Compare and contrast with last seasons. £2 each. Last seasons was a nice typical offering with plenty to read and look at. This seasons is only 32 pages, half is adverts and it's printed on tissue paper. Very poor!

The ground hadn't altered from last season, with still a newish looking grandstand to the right, covered terrace at each end and an open terrace to the left. The only difference was the attendance, up to 2,454 from last seasons embarrassing 1,800 or so. The biggest crowd Crawley have played in front of this season.

City lined up Jones (P), Jones (B), Gaia, Todd, Taylor, Afful, Cronin, Challinor, Scully, Phillips and Farrell. The formation was a little unorthodox with Taylor slotting in at right back and Scully of the left flank.

The first 20 minutes were pretty even with neither side making much head way. What was apparent though was Crawley's time wasting tactics. Each goal kick took about five minutes, and players were going down all over the park only to be dashing about after a visit from the physio. The last part of the half saw Crawley dominate and Paul Jones pulled off some brilliant saves to keep City in the game. Santos Gaia was also instrumental in keeping the "Red Devils" at bay. The second half saw City start with a substitute, Sawyer on for Gaia. Injured or tactical? I don't know, but Gaia wasn't playing poorly. The first 10 minutes of the second half were pretty uncomfortable, Jones again was called upon to keep the home team from scoring. Then Flack came on for the tiring Phillips and the game began to shift in City's favour. The big man won everything in the air and chased everything down, not giving the Crawley defence a moments peace. Not long after, Hiley came on for Afful, and took over at right back. Taylor switched to centre midfield, Challinor moved to wide left and Scully to his favoured right wing. City began to press Crawley now, Scully down the right and Cronin and Flack though the centre. However the time wasting became chronic, much to the annoyance of the away end. The referee added 5 minutes on. Neil Le Milliere said to me "if there is any justice we'll sneak a late winner". I replied that "There is no justice in football". On the 92nd minute City broke forward down the right, the ball was passed into the box and Challinor beat the keeper on his near post. 1-0 to Exeter and the away end is going crazy. To add to the joy City go forward again and Challinor adds a second from Cronin's pass. Two goals in added time. I bet the Crawley players wish they'd got on with the game now. After the final whistle the City players have a huddle and they get the heroes reception from the away end well done the boys! It was then a fairly quick trip home to Paddock Wood, home at 6pm.

My player of the match was probably Paul Jones as he kept us in it with three or excellent saves, although mentions must go to Flack and Challinor. City are still 3 points behind Grays Athletic who demolished Scarborough 5-0.

BBC match Summary and Information 

Two stoppage-time goals from Jon Challinor ensured victory for Exeter and condemned unlucky Crawley to a fourth home defeat this season. The game appeared destined to end goalless with neither side able to carve out many chances. But midfielder Challinor stunned the home side with a last-gasp double. He drove home the first in the third minute of stoppage time before latching on to Glenn Cronin's cross in the 95th minute to leave Crawley crestfallen.

Crawley Town: Ward, Judge, Jenkins (Blackburn 70), Giles, Woozley, Wormull, Lindegaard, Armstrong, Clare, Steve Burton (Douglas 81), Cade (Keehan 82).

Subs Not Used: Smith, Brown.

Exeter: Paul Jones, Billy Jones, Gaia (Sawyer 45), Todd, Cronin, Farrell, Taylor, Challinor, Phillips (Flack 68), Afful (Hiley 57), Scully.
Subs Not Used: Rice, Mackie.

Booked: Afful, Farrell, Challinor.

Goals: Challinor 90, 90.

Attendance : 2,454

Referee : R Lee (Brentwood).