Crawley Town player ratings: 5 for midfielder and three 6s as Reds lose to Cambridge United
Crawley Town lost their second consecutive game at the Broadfield Stadium after a 2-0 defeat to Cambridge.
Reds had two big opportunities to take the lead from Danilo Orsi and Harry McKirdy but both gilt-edged chances went begging.
But just as it looked like it would be goalless at half-time – James Gibbons’ brilliant cross was side-footed home by Shane McLoughlin to give the Us the lead at the break.
Josh Flint had two headers in the second half which went close but Crawley struggled to create clear cut chances and they were made to pay when sub Sully Kaikai scored in the 76th minute after a good break by the visitors.
Here are our Crawley Town player ratings:
Jacob Chapman 7 – Superb save from Mpanzu’s effort early in the second half after a quiet first half.
Akin Odimayo 7 – Showed good strength and calmness against the threat of Pelly Mpanzu.
Theo Vassell 7 – Good tussle with Louis Appere and mostly dominated, especially in the air. Worrying signs when he limped off injured – replaced by Geraldo Bajrami.
Josh Flint 7 – A couple of good blocks and tackles to deny the visitors. And is there a better sight than seeing Flint bomb forward with a marauding run? Headed over from a free kick he won with one of those runs. Had another go wide – looked Crawley’s most likely to score.
Jay Williams 7 – Playing as that sole pivot at the base of midfield again and looked to control play. Some typically strong challenges.
Lewis Richards 7 – First start for the Reds and looked solid. Replaced by Kellan Gordon on 60 minutes.
Harry Forster 6 – Didn’t see a lot of the ball but worked hard going forward and defensively.
Klaidi Lolos 6 – Saw glimpses of his quick feet and skill but those glimpses were few and far between. Yet to see the magic of the promotion-winning season. Moved to the front two when McKirdy went off but rarely saw the ball.
Ronan Darcy 5 – Booked on 36 minutes;. Like Lolos, yet to fully find his form and magic since his return. Uncharacterstically loose with the ball
Harry McKirdy 6 – Still waiting for his partnership with Orsi to click fully but some promising signs – and had a great opportunity to give Reds the lead but headed wide from close range. Full of running. Replaced by Taylor Richards on the hour.
Danilo Orsi 7 – Huge chance in the opening minute and should have scored. Great work rate as ever – always willing to help out defensively but suffered due to lack of chances being created for him. Sent in a superb cross for McKirdy, who headed wide.
Subs:
Taylor Richards 6 – Replaced Harry McKirdy on the hour.
Kellan Gordon 6 – Replaced Lewis Richards on 60 minutes. Sent in a lovely cross which Flint headed just wide shortly after coming on.
Geraldo Bajrami 6 – Replaced the injured Vassell on 68 minutes. Added a calmness to Crawley’s play.