Analysis: Crawley Town Struggle to Cope with Grimsby’s High-Press and Lose 3-0 at Blundell Park
Crawley Town endured a tough start to the 2025/26 League Two season as they were comfortably beaten 3–0 by Grimsby Town at Blundell Park. The defeat exposed several issues that Scott Lindsey and his squad will need to address quickly if they are to bounce back in their next fixture against Newport County at the Broadfield Stadium.
Photo byJez Tighe/ProSports
From the outset, Grimsby's intensity was clear. The Mariners took the lead inside 10 minutes when Jaze Kabia confidently converted a penalty after Harvey Davies hesitated and fouled Kieran Green in the box. This early setback set the tone for Crawley's day, as Grimsby's relentless high pressing disrupted the Reds' usual flowing possession-based style.
Throughout the first half, Crawley struggled to cope with the pressure. The Reds found it difficult to play out from the back and repeatedly gave the ball away in dangerous areas. Their midfield was dominated, losing crucial battles which prevented them from gaining any foothold in the game. The wingbacks, an attacking asset for Crawley, found themselves stretched defensively due to the failed build-up play and Grimsby's targeted long balls, which repeatedly caused problems.
Grimsby doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark when Cameron McJannet outjumped the Crawley defence to head home from a well-executed set piece. Crawley's familiar struggles defending corners reared their head again, and this lack of organisation at the back was a costly factor.
Adding to Crawley's woes, Harry Forster was forced off with an injury in the 37th minute. His early exit further disrupted an already disjointed display. By half-time, the Reds were two goals down and offered little threat going forward.
The second half began with Crawley showing signs of urgency. They looked more purposeful in possession, and Reece Brown came close to testing the Grimsby goalkeeper, Christy Pym, but blasted a rare sight of goal over the bar. However, Crawley's attacking efforts were sparse, and they failed to create clear-cut chances.
Photo by Jon Corken
Grimsby put the game beyond doubt in the 62nd minute when Evan Khouri intercepted a loose pass and fired a low, precise shot from outside the box into the bottom corner. Crawley's struggles in midfield and defence allowed Grimsby to exploit space and maintain control.
The Reds' lack of cutting edge was further highlighted minutes later when Kabongo Tshimanga had a chance to pull a goal back. Despite latching onto a long ball from Jack Roles, his attempted lob drifted wide - a clear sign of Crawley's inability to capitalise on the few opportunities they had.
Crawley's six summer signings in the starting lineup seemed to lack the cohesion needed to compete effectively. The Reds passing was often misplaced, and they failed to find rhythm or fluidity in their build-up play. This suggested a side still finding its feet together.
Tactically, Crawley stuck to their usual formation but were outmatched by Grimsby's 4-1-4-1 setup. The Mariners' preparation was evident in their ability to exploit Crawley's weaknesses, particularly with their long balls over the top and their dominance at set pieces.
In summary, Crawley looked like a team that had not yet gelled - unable to link passes, maintain possession, or find their attacking rhythm. The defensive frailties, especially in dealing with high press and set pieces, must be addressed urgently.
Scott Lindsey will have plenty to work on in training this week to ensure Crawley can respond strongly when Newport County visit the Broadfield Stadium next weekend. Reds' fans will be hoping they can quickly regain their confidence and start turning their possession and attacking style into results.