Crawley Town player ratings: Only one 7 as Reds fall to another defeat and go bottom of League Two
Crawley suffered a third straight defeat – and dropped to bottom of the table – as they fell to a 2-0 loss against an unbeaten Grimsby side.
Nicholas Michalski’s outstretched arm denied Charles Vernam from the spot 13 minutes in after Priestley Farquharson had brought down a Grimsby attacker in the box.
Iwan Morgan put the Mariners ahead on the half an hour mark after Grimsby were awarded another penalty and this time Michalski was beaten.
Grimsby doubled their lead through Kieran Green three minutes before half time with a header at the back post after Crawley failed to clear the ball.
The home side had a number of chances to make it three, four even five but they didn’t convert. Kellan Gordon had the Reds best chance in the second half with a header wide of the post.
Here are our player ratings:
Nicholas Michalski: 6.5 – It was a real mixed first game for Michalski; an amazing penalty save from Charles Vernam 13 minutes in but the youngster also gave away a penalty which put the Mariners ahead. Made a number of great saves to not let the scoreline embarrass Crawley.
Kellan Gordon: 6 – Was effective at taking players on down the right hand side but wasn’t able to get as many crosses in the box as he would like and then struggled running back the other way. Played Adeyemo in many a time in the first half but didn’t result in anything prosperous.
Priestley Farquaharson: 5.5 – The centre back gave away the first penalty which wasn’t converted to his relief. He struggled to deal with the runs in behind from Walsall attackers and lost the ball on a few occasions when in possession.
Danilo Orsi: 6 – The former Grimsby man pressed well and picked up some good positions in the box but didn’t have any real chances of note in the first half.
Jonny Russell: 5 – A piece of rookie defending from the Northern Irishman for the second goal whose failed clearance fell to Morgan who crossed to Green to score. He didn’t offer a lot going forward
Osman Kamra: 6.5 – A quiet half from Kamara but did get a few shots away but nothing that really tested Pym in the Grimsby goal.
Jude Arthurs: 6.5 – Covered a lot of distance as always, dropping deep to help with the build but also making some intelligent runs in behind to help in attack.
Ade Adeyemo: 6.5 – Provided more of an attacking role in this game but lacked his normal threat in the forward areas and struggled to make many box entries.
Akin Odimayo: 6.5 – Back in his preferred position and didn’t really put a foot wrong of note. He made a crucial block early into the second half to keep it at 2-0. Headed everything that came his way and got stuck in.
Dylan Morgan: 7 – A lot of dangerous late runs in the box which didn’t transpire into much. Was there on the edge of the box when the ball broke which led to a few efforts towards goal but most of them were wide of the target or failed to test the Grimsby keeper. Made some excellent ball carries with some great footwork to help the Reds get up the pitch - was by far Crawley’s best player.
Ty Ewens-Findlay: 5.5 – Full debut for the Charlton Athletic loanee stepping into midfield alongside Arthurs. Showed his expansive passing range at times in the game but was generally quite quiet in the game as a holding player.
Substitutes:
Pemi Aderoju: 6 – Had a hard time up against Grimsby’s Maldini Kacurri but battled hard.
Louie Watson: 6 – Struggled to make any real impact in the game.
Dion Pereira: 6 – Carried the ball well at times but then failed to get a shot or cross off.
Nathan Tinsdale: N/A
Malcolm Ebiowei: N/A