TASTE OF THE TERRACE: Crawley should be top after great display

When Doncaster's Matty Blair struck a low corner kick it looked, from the far end, like a mis-kick '“ but it may well have been a training ground routine that worked to perfection as James Coppinger drove a shot on the turn low into the net for the equaliser.
Crawley Town fan Geoff Thornton gives his views in his new column SUS-150216-163154002Crawley Town fan Geoff Thornton gives his views in his new column SUS-150216-163154002
Crawley Town fan Geoff Thornton gives his views in his new column SUS-150216-163154002

Well-taken though it had been, it was a poor goal to concede and had Coppinger been closely marked on the edge of the box Crawley may have held on to their lead and taken the three points that would have earned them top spot.

The final whistle brought a surprising response as my view of the game was quite different from that expressed by many of the small but fervent band of Reds’ supporters.

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As I am quickly into clichés this season it was the difference between a glass half full and one half empty.

Most were happy with the hard-earned point but I felt we had shown little progress from the previous disappointing campaign.

Bearing in mind this is a strictly personal viewpoint, I thought this draw was a setback for Dermot Drummy’s new beginning.

Much of the play seemed lacklustre and we failed to raise the tempo of our game against a side that offered much less than Wycombe had or, indeed, had Wolves.

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Despite our play falling short, Dermot’s substitutions were all like for like when a change of direction was needed.

Despite his claims to wish to play attacking football when Matt Harrold was given his customary final ten minutes it was not to support James Collins but to replace him.

I’m sorry Dermot, but I think you missed a trick here.

But it was hardly a case of all hope is lost either.

Alex Davey made a very prompt debut and the Chelsea loanee did a good job covering for the suspended Mark Connolly.

Joe McNerney was also pretty solid but needs to consider just how many times he plays the ball into touch conceding either a throw or a corner.

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With Lewis Young on song and Andre Blackman working hard Crawley seemed well able to resist whatever Donny threw at them.

That resistance was necessary as the home side made the running and overcame our five-man midfield too readily despite an impressive display by Josh Payne.

The lads need to believe in themselves and take the game to their opponents.

The Keepmoat Stadium is large and rather soulless when it is less than half full.

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It seemed as though the players of both sides responded accordingly and the match had an end of season feel to it.

In football you rarely get more than you put in and fans will feel short changed if they consider the input as lacking.

We can all cope with poor fortune and not getting the deserved result.

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