Crawley Town 1-0 Bristol Rovers RECAP: Tom Nichols seals Carabao Cup first-round tie victory against former club after impressive team performance
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Having failed to pick up a point after two games in League Two, Reds manager Kevin Betsy will be looking for his first victory since taking over the club in the summer.
It won’t be an easy task, though, against League One Bristol Rovers, who come into the game fresh from thrashing Burton Albion 4-0.
Crawley will be looking for a quick change in fortunes after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat against Leyton Orient – a week after losing by the same scoreline at Carlisle United.
Stay tuned for the team news and live match updates.
Crawley Town 1-0 Bristol Rovers RECAP: Tom Nichols seals Carabao Cup first-round tie victory against former club after impressive team performance
Another chance for Crawley right at the end of the half.
Francillette got on the end of Francomb’s corner, glancing a header inches wide of the post.
Three minutes have been added on to this half.
Meanwhile, Crawley have a free-kick on the left hand side, in a good crossing position.
It’s headed clear, though.
(39) Nearly a superb opener for Crawley!
It came after a fine move, starting with Craig, who has recovered. He played a long ball to Hessenthaler, who controlled with his chest before playing a perfect cross to Francomb.
The wing-back didn’t let the ball bounce, volleying just wide of the far post.
What a goal that would have been.
(32) A break in play now as Ryan Loft slumps to the turf after a tussle with two Reds defenders, as he looked to control a long ball forward.
(31) Another chance for Crawley as Nadesan’s cross finds Appiah but he can’t quite get a solid connection and the keeper collects.
(25) Crawley should be ahead.
The whole crowd would have been expecting then net to bulge after visiting keeper James Belshaw passed straight to Nichols in front of goal.
But the former Rovers forward saw his effort saved.
Got to be scoring there. Hopefully it won’t be a costly miss.
(22) Rovers are still a threat up the other end, though.
Big alarm bells just then after the visitors beat the offside trap but Ludwig Francillete did brilliantly to get back and force a corner.