‘We made more chances than them and should have been more clinical’
SHELDAN KEAY
ACCRINGTON Stanley saw their four-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday as they were narrowly beaten against Crawley Town at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.
First half goals from Enzio Boldewijn and Mark Randall put the hosts in front, and despite the Reds reducing the deficit thanks to an own goal from Jimmy Smith in the second half, they couldn’t find an equaliser and were condemned to defeat.
The loss leaves Accrington seventh in the League Two table, two points off the automatic promotion places, though they do have games in hand on the majority of the teams in the division. Crawley have moved up to 12th place after the win.
“We need to be more clinical in front of goal and even the most hardened of Crawley fans would say that the least we deserved was a draw,” said Stanley manager John Coleman.
“The pitch deteriorated dramatically and it was difficult to move the ball on the pitch, so you’ve got to factor that into consideration too.
“We could have been 2-0 up before they scored. I thought we did enough to at least get a draw and possibly win the game. We made more chances than them and should have been more clinical.”
Stanley were bright in the opening stages of the match and the first major opportunity fell to them, as Jordan Clark’s effort was turned behind by Crawley goalkeeper Glenn Morris.
The visitors continued to threaten, with Sean McConville causing plenty of problems for the opposition defence, but ending when his cross into the box was bundled home by Randall at close range, to increase his team’s lead.
Stanley had further chances during the closing stages of the first half, but once again they were unable to take them and they trailed 2-0 at the interval.
Stanley performed well at the start of the second half and they reduced the deficit on 56 minutes when a goal came in strange circumstances, as Josh Yorweth’s attempted clearance rebounded off teammate Smith and ended up in their own net.
The Reds pushed forward as they tried to find an equaliser during the final half hour, but found it tough to create any clear-cut chances.
They couldn’t find another goal, with Craw- ley holding on to earn the victory and inflict a 2-1 defeat on Coleman’s side.