Billy nets late winner for resilient Crawley Green

Goals from Chris Gibson (35) and Lee Loasby (40) had put the Maroons in charge in front of the 98-strong crowd, but the hosts levelled through goals by Mark Gradosrelski (61) and Ben Andreos (70). But Billy struck with two minutes to go to win it for Crawley.

Hoddesdon’s ground staff did a remarkable job to make it the only Division One game to go ahead.

Crawley had the better of the opening and had a strong appeal for penalty turned down after five minutes before Hoddesdon’s Ben Andreos headed wide from Jamie Brandon’s corner.

An end-to-end encounter saw Stuart Strange denied by Reece Buck, while Andreos miskicked in front of goal when clean through.

Peter O’Donnell set up Gibson midway through the half but Buck saved, before Crawley took the lead on 35 minutes when Billy, Strange and O’Donnell combined to set Gibson up who fired home.

Five minutes later Crawley doubled their lead as Loasby headed home Adam Reid’s corner after Gibson’s effort from Billy’s cross was turned round the post by Buck.

Hoddesdon dominated the second half and, after three corners in quick succession, pulled a goal back when Gradosielski finished off a quick break on 61 minutes. Hoddesdon were in complete control at this stage and were awarded a controversial penalty on 70 minutes as Strange was adjudged to have handled on the line as he tried to clear and Andreos calmly smashed home.

The hosts looked likely to win it as Dean Bull tipped Tyler Hatherley’s 75th-minute effort over and Ben Darwin headed wide from a Brandon corner.

However, Crawley rallied and fought back with Robbie O’Dell and Billy causing problems and it was the latter who converted Jamie Warne’s cross to win it at the death.

Loasby then saw a his effort deflected wide as Crawley ran down the clock to end Hoddesdon’s 12-game unbeaten run.

This Saturday Green go to Bedford and on Wednesday host Cranfield United.

All our teams in Division Two on Saturday were thwarted as Mursley United against Kent Athletic, The 61 FC (Luton) v Old Bradwell United, Totternhoe versus Hale Leys United and Wolverton Town against Caddington were postponed.

This weekend The 61 FC (Luton) visit Hale Leys United in the second round of the Division Two Cup, in Division Two Kent Athletic host Tring Corinthians, Caddington go to Mursley United and Totternhoe entertain Old Bradwell United, while in Reserve Division One AFC Dunstable go to Oxhey Jets, Risborough Rangers are at home to Kent Athletic and The 61 FC (Luton) host Hoddesdon Town.