Boro beat Crawley Green in controversial circumstances

Missed chances and controversial penalties saw Crawley Green go down to a 4-0 defeat at FC Broxbourne Borough in Molten Spartan SML Division One on Saturday.

In an even opening John Butler went close for Crawley, while Murat Karagul was blocked by Craig Savage.

Jamie Warne and new signing Hayden Wills both had free-kicks well saved by Allan Buck, but the turning point came on 20 minutes when Karagul went to ground easily and the referee awarded a hotly-disputed penalty, which Karagul drove past Bart Pedrycz for the first of his hat-trick.

Crawley failed to refocus and found themselves 2-0 down three minutes later when Karle Abiodun-Dacosta blasted home following two outstanding point-blank saves by Pedrycz.

The Maroons fought back and were unlucky not to reduce the arrears just before half time.

Stuart Strange set up Chris Gibson but his effort was saved by Buck and minutes later Hayden Wills crossed for Butler but his header cannoned off the bar.

Crawley took the game to Boro in the second half as Nicky Nolan headed wide from a Craig Savage’s long throw and the dangerous Wills had an effort blocked.

On the hour Wills saw another shot acrobatically turned behind by Buck, who then denied Gibson and Wills before Boro sealed victory with 12 minutes to go when they broke down the left and Karagul was on hand to make it 3-0.

Butler had another close range header saved by Buck with a minute to go and Chris Harvey conceded another soft penalty as the ever-dangerous Karagul slammed home the penalty to complete his hat trick.

On Wednesday night Crawley are set to host Bedford in the league and on Saturday go to Codicote in the extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup.