Three things we learn from Crawley's 3-0 defeat against Grimsby Town
Crawley Town were beaten 3–0 by Grimsby Town on the opening day of the season. Here are three things we learned from the game.
Photo by GTFC via X
The Mariners got off to a flying start, taking the lead in the 10th minute when Jaze Kabia confidently converted from the penalty spot.
The hosts doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark, as Cameron McJannet rose highest at the near post to glance a header past Davies following a well-worked set piece.
Crawley were punished again in the 62nd minute when Evan Khouri intercepted a loose pass and rifled a low effort into the bottom corner from outside the box, sealing the win for Grimsby.
The Reds now look ahead to their first home fixture, as they welcome Newport County to the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday, August 9. After a disappointing start, Scott Lindsey will have a full week on the training ground to put things right and get his side back on track.
Here are just some of the things we picked out from Crawley's performance in matchday one.
Photo by Jon Corken
Wingback Balance Still Missing
Crawley currently have a number of wing-backs in their ranks, but many are naturally attack-minded. Against Grimsby, Scott Lindsey opted to start Harry McKirdy and Harry Forster out wide, before introducing Antony Papadopoulos and Fate Kotey later in the game. Other options include Ade Adeyemo, Dion Pereira, and Jack Roles.
However, the lack of defensively solid players in these positions leaves Crawley vulnerable. On Saturday, Grimsby exploited this weakness by overloading the wide areas and stretching Crawley's backline.
The Mariners targeted the space left behind with a mix of high and low long balls, forcing centre-backs Josh Flint and Charlie Barker to constantly cover for wing-backs who had pushed too far forward.
To combat this, Crawley need at least one defensively minded wing-back—someone more positionally disciplined and aware, who joins the attack only when the timing is right. Right now, that profile is missing.
Lack of Cohesion
One of the most glaring issues in Crawley's performance was the clear lack of cohesion across the pitch. From the first whistle, it was evident the players weren't on the same wavelength. Passes were repeatedly misplaced, either played into empty space or directed at teammates who weren't anticipating them. Short combinations quickly broke down, and there was little rhythm or understanding in Crawley's build-up play, making it easy for Grimsby to disrupt momentum and take control.
Grimsby's third goal, drilled into the bottom corner by Evan Khouri, summed up the performance: miscommunication, disorganisation, and a lack of awareness.
Part of this disjointed display can be attributed to the number of new faces in the starting eleven. With six summer signings in the lineup, Crawley looked like a team still getting to know each other.
Despite the poor showing, captain Dion Conroy was quick to downplay the defeat, calling it a "blip" and insisting it was a one-off. His words offer some reassurance, but the reality is clear: Crawley must find a way to gel quickly if they're to avoid similar performances in the coming weeks.
Grimsby's Statement Performance
Photo byJez Tighe/ProSports
Grimsby were by far the superior side on the day. They arrived with a clear game plan, executed it with discipline, and were rewarded for their efforts. From the first minute, they looked organised, focused, and tactically aware -everything Crawley weren't. Their pressing was effective, their transitions sharp, and defensively they operated as a solid, cohesive unit that gave very little away.
It was a tough opening fixture for the Reds, facing a well-drilled, unified side that looked several steps ahead in terms of preparation and chemistry. Crawley are likely to fare better against teams who aren't as structured or settled, especially as their own new-look squad begins to gel. But on this occasion, they were simply outclassed by a side that looks capable of challenging at the top end of the table.