Liverpool loanee frustrated with Oldham draw - and has say on late penalty drama
Goalkeeper Harvey Davies was frustrated Crawley Town didn’t pick up all three points after their 2-2 draw with Oldham Athletic on Saturday.
The Reds took the lead at Broadfield Stadium through Ryan Loft’s second goal in as many games. A strong first half display should have seen more goals for the hosts with Reece Brown striking the crossbar just before half-time. The game was turned on its head, however, when goals from Michael Mellon and Jack Stevens gave Oldham a 2-1 lead in the second half.
Super-sub Kabby Tshimanga delivered late on again though to earn the Reds a valuable point in the 82nd minute. Despite pegging back the visitors late on, Davies wasn’t fully satisfied with a point.
“Good start,” he said. “A few difficult spells but I think, at the end, we managed to deal with it in the best way we could. Disappointing not to win the game and especially to concede so early on into the second half which is something we spoke about this week – didn’t so.”
In a match not short of drama, Broadfield Stadium erupted when the Reds had initially been awarded a penalty for a handball. Euphoria soon turned to exasperation as referee Charles Breakspear reversed his decision after consultation with his assistant. Davies wasn’t near the incident but gave the squad’s honest view on the referee’s call.
He said: “From what I’ve heard, I think the ref got it right.”
The game marked a return to action for Davies having not played for the Reds since November 11 in the Vertu Trophy defeat to Peterborough. Competing with JoJo Wollacott for the Number One spot, Davies has a good relationship with his contemporary. “Yeah, fine,” he said. “It’s part of football. We both know that only obviously one of us can play, sounds really cliché but it is true.
“Joe did well and I supported him. And manager makes a change this week and Joe’s supported me since we found out.”
The ‘keeper was busy on his return making six saves and having 59 touches of the ball.
Davies expressed some of the challenges he and his team-mates faced during the game. “I think there were times where we could have played on the floor a bit more.
“But with the state of the game and the start of the second half, it was a bit difficult to actually press quite well. So, it was difficult to actually play at times but we need to be able to see that better and recognise the moments to do the right thing.”
The ‘keeper also confirmed that the hand injury he had suffered with is ‘fine now’.
The draw extended Crawley’s unbeaten home run in League Two to five matches. “Our home form’s been decent to be fair,” Davies said. “I think today we should have won but it has been good.
“The fans are good to be fair. They were just getting us through the games.”
The Reds now enjoy a full week before the festive fixture schedule takes full effect, beginning Saturday December 20 with a tricky trip to Swindon Town.
Not only will it be a tricky test against the division’s third-placed side but it will see manager Scott Lindsey face the club he left to join the Reds.