Crawley Town 2, Gillingham 0: Late goals earn Reds vital win as Colin Kazim-Richards enjoys dream start as head coach
Colin Kazim-Richards’ first game as Crawley Town manager ended in a vital 2-0 victory at home to Gillingham on Saturday afternoon with two added time goals.
There were five changes in the Crawley side for Kazim-Richards’ first game in charge as Ade Adeyemo, Louie Copley, Tobi Adeyemo, Ronan Darcy and Lewis Richards came into the starting XI.
After a slow start at the Broadfield Stadium, Ade Adeyemo had the first chance of the game but saw his shot stopped well by former Red Glenn Morris in goal.
Both sides created opportunities for themselves, as Crawley found themselves open at the back.
Jay Williams came close to opening the scoring, as his fierce shot creeped wide of the post.
Gillingham had their best chance of the half 20 minutes in as Ronan Hale fired wide.
The visitors had the first chance in the second half when Josh Andrews’ header was cleared off the line by a watchful Scott Malone.
Crawley had chances of their own as Harry McKirdy’s shot was palmed away into Ade Adeyemo, who couldn’t control his feet.
Neither side stepped down as the second half progressed whilst the tension mounted at the Broadfield Stadium.
As the game entered extra time, Taylor Richards sent the stadium into raptures when his shot snuck into the bottom corner to put Crawley 1-0 up.
Crawley weren’t done yet. Harry Forster fed Tobi Adeyemo through two minutes later and his shot went into the Gillingham net off the post to spark jubilant scenes.
Cue bedlam at the Broadfield Stadium as Crawley delivered three crucial points to continue their fight this season.
With other sides around Crawley doing well, it felt like a massive three points.