Holders Crawley Green go out to Potton

Holders Crawley Green paid the penalty for poor defending as they bowed out of the competition, losing 5-3 at UCL Division One side Potton United on Saturday.

Crawley dominated the opening 10 minutes as Sam Peverall had a long range shot tipped over by Craig Lewis, while Henry Mungwira went close.

On eight minutes, Aaron Brown set up Mungwira who rounded the keeper but his shot hit the post.

It was no surprise when Crawley took the lead after 10 minutes as Brown found Stuart Strange who cut inside to beat Lewis.

Green then switched off and conceded three goals in 16 minutes all from set-pieces.

First, Jan Voldozko conceded a needless free kick on the left and the cross fell kindly to Gary Ansell-Carter to make it 1-1 on 14 minutes.

Seven minutes later Crawley were penalised in the same position as Callum Forster’s effort went through a sea of legs to end up in the net.

On the half hour, Crawley were undone again as a corner was headed home at the back post by an unmarked Jack Chandler.

Crawley rallied and were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time for a foul on Mungwira that Strange converted for 3-2.

In the second half Crawley took the game to Potton with Liam Toomey and Brown both having efforts saved by Lewis.

Potton replied with a shot from Steve Muggeridge that was well saved by Dean Bull.

United were content to soak up the pressure and they hit Crawley on the break to make it 4-2 after 70 minutes when Kenny Smith neatly chipped Bull.

In the closing stages Crawley poured forward and Mungwira teed up Charlie Clayton to make it 4-3 after 80 minutes.

Despite Crawley’s best efforts it was Potton who killed the game in the 89th minute.

Man of the match Joe Aris made a fine run down the right cut in past two Crawley defenders and fired past Bull to put Potton in the next round.

Crawley host Southall in the league on Saturday.