Spartan South Midlands League
Premier Division
Saturday 12 Sep 20
Crawley Green FC 2 v Newport Pagnell Town FC 3
Crawley were edged out as the visitors twice came from behind to snatch the points in added time.
It was an end to end game played behind closed doors as the ban on spectators by the EFL continues to be imposed on Luton Town's training facility.

Danny Watson had an early shot from a Sam Holmes cross deflected for a corner and the visitors replied with a good run and shot from the speedy Sam Olawale which was well saved by George Rose in the Crawley goal.

Town's Jim Burnside set up Alex O'Brien who shot wide and Crawley's Watson blasted a Phil Draycott corner over the bar.
O'Brien and Draycott both had shots saved at either end before Crawley took the lead in the 23 minute.

Glen Cooksley was floored at a corner and the Referee pointed straight to the spot. Mark Bunker coolly converted the penalty to make it 1-0.

Town came storming back and Rose kept out efforts from Leigh Stevens and Olawale. Crawley replied with an overhead effort from Holmes which hit the top of the bar and it finished 1-0 at the break.

Minutes after the restart Town drew level when Burnside turned in a deflected shot from Stevens to make it 1-1. Shortly after Burnside headed wide from a Olawale cross and Rose then saved well from Luke Dunstan and Michael Lyons. The Maroons battled back and retook the lead after 55 minutes with another penalty when keeper Charlie Jones fouled Sam Holmes.

This time it was Watson who converted from the spot to make it 2-1. Crawley followed up with a shot from Draycott which was saved by Jones before Town came back to equalise with a far post header from substitute Jake Stronge.

Crawley's James Younger had a smart shot saved by Jones and then the host's lost Draycott and Watson to injury and the pressure was ramped up by the visitors.

As the clock ran down it looked as though the game was headed for a draw until Crawley's Younger conceded a needless free kick on the edge of the box. Substitute Ben Sheppard smashed the free kick past Rose to make it 2-3 and cue wild celebrations from the visitors as they secured all 3 points.

Crawley's next two games are away against Tring Athletic and Eynesbury Rovers.on Tuesday and Saturday respectively.