Spartan South Midlands League
Premier Division
Tuesday 15 Mar 22
Crawley Green FC 2 v New Salamis 3Crawley turned in another creditable performance but they were finally edged out 2-3 by table topping New Salamis.

In keeping with the season Crawley paid the price for sloppy defending as Arti Krasniqi opened the scoring after only three minutes.

Crawley should have been back on terms shortly after when Luke Andrews set up Harry Bonner but he scuffed his shot and the ball was cleared.

Then after 19 minutes the visitors doubled their lead. A cross from the left by George Lutaaya deceived everyone in the box and ended up in the back of the net to make it 0-2.

Two down in 19 minutes and the Crawley faithful were fearing the worst. To their credit Crawley rallied and took the game to their opponents and after 42 minutes were back in the game. A good move down the right was finished off by Marlon Burton to make it 1-2.

Things got better for the Hosts 2 minutes later. Crawley drew level when Javin Dougan coolly converted a penalty for a poor challenge in the box and it finished 2-2 at the break.

Salamis came storming out of the blocks in the second half and regained the lead after 64 minutes when skipper Ryan Hervel finished off a fine move to make it 2-3.

Like the first half Crawley rallied. Salamis were desperate to finish the game off but the Maroons were always dangerous on the break.

Salamis stood firm and ran the clock down to deny Crawley any way back into the game and it finished 2-3 to the visitors.

On Saturday Crawley Green travel to London Colney in a 2pm kick off.