Defensive errors cost Crawley Green dear as the fall to Southall defeat

Crawley Green committed two defensive howlers in the last 15 minutes to allow Southall to come from 1-0 and run out 3-1 winners in Molten Spartan SML Division One on Saturday.

A competitive opening saw Liam Toomey miss with a header from John Butler’s cross, while Joshua Aqua twice fired wide for the visitors.

As both sides battled it out in midfield, Nick Nolan had a header saved by Jamie Cox in the Southall goal after 29 minutes.

Southall then started to take control and three minutes later Crawley’s Chris Harvey had to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Jayraj Jadesa.

Jayraj then set up Ayet Labidi who shot wide and on 39 minutes Jayraj miskicked in front of goal.

Just before the break Cyrus Vanterpool had the best chance of the half but sliced his shot wide.

The hosts fought back in the second half and took the lead on 54 minutes when Jamie Warne made ground on the right and his cross fell to Adam Reid who fired home from the edge of the box.

Four minutes later Crawley nearly doubled their lead when Chris Gibson was put Toomey away, but his shot was parried by Cox who then gathered the ball from the onrushing Warne.

Injury forced Crawley keeper Dean Bull off and replacement Bart Pedrycz was quickly in action when he punched clear an effort from Vanterpool.

Pedrycz failed to deal with a ball forward on 78 minutes and Joseph Aqua gained possession to roll the ball into the empty net and level the scores.

Southall took the lead eight minutes later when the dangerous Vanterpool made ground down the right and his cross was turned in by Aqua.

And any chance of a Crawley fightback was dashed two minutes later when another defensive howler saw defender Matt Baldry completely misjudge a cross as he headed into his own net.

Crawley fought hard to get back into the game in the right minutes of added time, but the damage was already done.

This Saturday Crawley go to Amersham Town.