Vital defensive asset... gritty determination... lovely stuff from super-sub: Crawley Town player ratings

After a last minute winner saw Crawley Town beat Colchester United 1-0, we rate the Reds players who were on show as John Yems’ side picked up their first league win since January 2.
Crawley Town take on Colchester / Picture: UK Sports Images/Jamie EvansCrawley Town take on Colchester / Picture: UK Sports Images/Jamie Evans
Crawley Town take on Colchester / Picture: UK Sports Images/Jamie Evans

Glenn Morris - 8/10 - Two good saves in the first half as Colchester United went close. Kept the game goalless in the second, after springing to his left to tip a long range effort over the bar. I’m running out of superlatives for him; quality, once again.

George Francomb - 7 The Reds skipper switched to left back after Tom Dallison was subbed off, and showed some very good attacking combinations with Hesketh down the left hand side. Defensively solid, and did well to adapt to switching sides.

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Jordan Tunnicliffe - 7 Harshly booked for challenge on Colchester’s Frank Nouble, but battled well. Solid and was rewarded with a clean-sheet.

Crawley Town take on Colchester / Picture: UK Sports Images/Jamie EvansCrawley Town take on Colchester / Picture: UK Sports Images/Jamie Evans
Crawley Town take on Colchester / Picture: UK Sports Images/Jamie Evans

Tony Craig - 7 Battled well against Colchester’s front two. Won most aerial duels and certainly deserved the clean-sheet.

Tom Dallison - Subbed off injured two minutes in - after a tough 50/50 with Nouble. Hopefully, it's not long-term as he has started to become a vital defensive asset in recent weeks.

Jordan Maguire-Drew - 6 Quality on the dead-ball delivery again, but struggled wide right. Think the midfielder would be better on the left as would give him the chance to have a touch, work half a yard, and then deliver. Subbed at the 65th minute mark.

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Jack Powell - 6.5 Battled hard, but frequently lost possession. Powell went close after a lovely free kick routine in the first half, but could only drag his shot wide. Few other long range efforts, but nothing much of note.

Crawley Town take on Colchester / Picture: UK Sports Images/Jamie EvansCrawley Town take on Colchester / Picture: UK Sports Images/Jamie Evans
Crawley Town take on Colchester / Picture: UK Sports Images/Jamie Evans

Jake Hessenthaler - 6.5 Not much to note, but battled hard in the midfield. Wasn’t at his most creative, but showed a real gritty determination when many would have lost focus.

Jake Hesketh - 6 In his first start since November, Hesketh turned out a promising performance. The attacking midfielder, who is on loan from Southampton was subbed on 65 minutes. Just needs to find that final ball, but looked decent.

Ashley Nadesan - 7 Made some decent runs in behind. Late on, his effort was well blocked, before he found space in behind and shot was well saved. Needs better service from those behind him.

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Tom Nichols - 8.5 Some nice touches, and held the ball up well. Made some runs in behind, but like Nadesan was feeding off scraps before the substitutions. Created a few chances, before breaking in behind and cutting the ball back to the edge of the area for the winner. Kept going throughout and deserved the reward.

Subs - Archie Davis - 6.5 Subbed on early after injury to Dallison. Last-ditch block on the line to deny Colchester and, at the time, keep the game goalless. Some good play when he had the chance to get forward, but gave the ball away a lot.

Sam Matthews - 7 Came on wide right after 65 minutes, and was energetic from the off. Switching regularly with Tilley on the left proved effective. Perhaps, he could have done better with his final ball, but certainly made a difference.

James Tilley - 8 Bright last 25 minutes, after replacing Maguire-Drew. Started on the left of midfield, but interchanged with Matthews throughout. Had a half-chance blocked, before finishing off a wonderful move with a placed finish into the bottom corner. A 93rd minute winner and his first Reds goal. Lovely stuff from the super-sub.

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