Crawley Town Vs Crystal Palace review
Crawley Town have upped their preparations ahead of the new season with Premier League side Crystal Palace visiting the Broadfield Stadium. Crawley Town suffered a 4:0 defeat at the hands of a strong Palace side with recently capped England international Eberechi Eze showcasing his talent.
Crawley started the game well having a lot of the ball and with high energy at a sold out Broadfield stadium. However it did not take long for Crystal Palace to get chances given to them, First a left footed shot by Jean-Philippe Mateta, saved brilliantly by Corey Addai before Odsonne Édouard's missed header from Eze's corner. Soon after, Mateta opened the scoring for the travelling side with a close ranged header to the centre of the goal. 8 minutes later, Mateta scored again with a powerful driven right footed shot assisted by Eze with a through ball after a delicious flick. Crawley was once again easily opened up allowing Eze to find himself in acres of space. He shifts the ball onto his right foot and wonderfully curls it into the top right corner from the left hand side of the box. One minute later Naouirou Ahamada got on the scoresheet with a left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner after a quick break due to Eze's through ball. With the game out of Crawley's hands, they enjoyed the possession for the remainder of the half creating very little chances.
The second half meant that Eze's cameo was over after being replaced by Jordan Ayew and the Crawley defence could finally relax. The second half was played with very little happening. Crystal palace had few chances with none challenging the home side. Crawley left back Nicholas Tsaroulla came agonisingly close for the home side as he struck the post from an incredible volley outside on the left hand side of the box giving Crawley their only dangerous effort on goal. Crawley full back Kellan Gordon won a free kick after a physical altercation with one of the Crystal Palace players next to the Palace dugout. Crawley town finally ended the game with a much changed side from the start with many trialists getting an opportunity against their Premier League opponents.
Although it was a defeat for Crawley Town, it gave them a good challenge ahead of their new season which kicks off against Bradford city on August 5th. The new players were able to play at a sold out Broadfield stadium, and it gave manager Scott Lindsey a good look at their weakpoints. Crawley had good spells of possession with nice link up play but were outshone by the premier league side. The difference in quality was clear but there are many positives to take from this game for the Reds.