Crawley Green forced to battle for Welwyn Garden City win

Crawley Green came from an early goal down as they battled to a 4-3 Molten Spartan SML Division One win at Welwyn Garden City on Wednesday night - but should have won by a much more comfortable scoreline.

A lively opening saw Welwyn took the lead on seven minutes when Crawley failed to deal with a corner from the right and the ball was knocked back across goal for Brad Jenner to tap home.

Two minutes later Crawley were level when Johnny Butler rose to head home Matt Baldry’s free-kick past Freddy Hester in the Welwyn goal.

Crawley proceeded to get on top as Butler had another header from Peter O’Donnell’s free-kick saved by Hester.

But the visitors took the lead three minutes before the break when Sean Downey’s free-kick cannoned off a post and Johnny Butler’s blocked effort bounced kindly for Adam Reid to fire home to make it 2-1 at the break.

Crawley completely dominated the second half as Sean Downey shot over from a Baldry free-kick in the opening minutes and Stuart Strange had a header go wide from an O’Donnell cross.

The Maroons won a penalty on 53 minutes when Nick Nolan was felled in the box and Strange stepped up to smash the ball past Hester and make it 3-1.

Adam Reid and Liam Toomey then combined to set up O’Donnell who shot wide, before Toomey and O’Donnell both had efforts saved by Hester.

Crawley paid the penalty for their missed chances when Welwyn hit back on 77 minutes as Sam Martin was left completely unmarked in the box to head home a cross from the right.

The visitors restored their two-goal advantage with two minutes to go when Toomey scored at the second attempt after his first shot was blocked by Hester.

In added time Afful Yeboah turned in a cross to make it 4-3, but Crawley ran down the clock to finish worthy winners.

This Saturday Crawley host Hertford Town in the second round of the Challenge Trophy and on Wednesday go to Wodson Park in the league.