Late goals force Crawley Down Gatwick to Vase replay

Fisher 2 Crawley Down 2

By Mick Martin

Crawley Down Gatwick will have to face Fisher again in a replay on Wednesday after their opponents twice came from behind to force a 2-2 draw.

In a game full of incident, Down started brighter and managed to get behind the Fisher defence and some dangerous crosses from both wings started to cause panic in their back-four.

With more confidence in the side the Anvils started to press the Fisher defence shutting players down early and defensive mistakes were giving the Anvils much more of the ball.

Overall the half was pretty evenly fought but the Anvils got the bragging rights just on the half-time whistle when Scott Johnson’s surge forward and interchange of passes with Steve Major saw Johnson picking out Mo Shuga’a arriving at the far post to nod Crawley Down Gatwick into the lead on 45 minutes.

The second period started fairly slowly with the Anvils initially concentrating on settling in and holding their lead.

This did allow Fisher to control more of the ball and although the Anvils defence was solid several chances came and went for the eager Fisher forwards.

The Anvils made three substitutions midway through the half through injuries and Andy Goodwin, Grant Rigler and Mark Barnard came on to steady the ship.

Down started to create more and more chances up front as Fisher poured forward to get the equaliser.

From a break Alcock forced his way through only to be brought down in the box, but from the resultant penalty Alcock’s shot was driven against the post.

In the 93rd minute a last throw of the dice from Fisher won them a penalty in a crowded box which was duly scored by Jamie Taylor to draw level.

The Anvils again took the lead in extra-time whith Andy Goodwin heading home a cross in the 103rd minute.

During the second half of extra-time Alcock hit the bar with a great shot and Rigler just couldn’t turn the ball in when well-placed.

But again for Fisher another last-ditch effort saw the Anvils penalised for a pass back, which was hotly disputed as Bos claimed the shot was stopped and not passed.

Fisher’s Kareem Boyle took the free-kick early and before the referee had blown for it to be taken, a ricochet on 123 minutes gave Fisher a draw.

Several players and spectators disputed the referee’s controversial decision but the result stands 2-2 and a replay at the Haven Centre in Crawley Down on Wednesday, November 5 at 7.30pm.

Down: Seb Bos, Sonny Barton, Jacob Wright, George Wallis, Scott Johnson, Blair Cooney, Mo Shuga’a (Grant Rigler), Sam Cane, Steve Major (Mark Barnard), Clive Zammitt (Andy Goodwin), Josh Alcock

Attendance: 104

Sussex Carpet Centre Man of the Match: Blair Cooney