Wootton’s brace puts paid to plucky rivals’

SAM BYRNE

COUNTY fought back to secure a third win in a row last Tuesday evening as the Express went to print, with a Kyle Wootton brace overcoming a dogged Crawley Town side at Edgeley Park.

Following a stunning free-kick by Jack Powell to put the visitors ahead in the first half, Wootton struck a double either side of the interval to continue County’s 100 per cent record in February.

Crawley, fighting relegation from the Football League and with a number of eye-catching January signings in their new-look side, were the only Football League side without a victory on the road in 2022/23 prior to kick-off. But, whilst making a first-ever visit to Edgeley Park, they started the more lively of the sides and deservedly went ahead less than ten minutes in.

A sloppy midfield performance by County in the first half was rather typified by captain Ryan Croasdale conceding possession in his own half, before fouling Teddy Jenks and picking up a yellow card.

From the resulting free-kick, Powell curled home a beauty to give Ben Hinchliffe no chance in the Hatters goal.

The visitors’ advantage lasted only four minutes, however, as a hectic start to proceedings continued at pace.

Crawley should really have doubled their lead when captain Ben Gladwin saw his closerange effort blocked by Neill Byrne with the County defence looking ragged.

But, from the very same move, Chris Hussey cleared upfield, leaving Crawley defender Dion Conroy to clear the long ball into his own face and into the path of Tanto Olaofe, who did well to