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Crows show great form in final pre-season fixture

Crows show great form in final pre-season fixture

Jamie Anderson5 Aug 2013 - 16:21
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Crowborough finished their turbulent pre-season with a very respectable 1-1 draw against Rymans South opposition Hastings United.

The game gave manager Graeme Mintrim and fans alike, the opportunity to see new signings Jason Barton, Wayne Clarke and Paul McCarthy in action, on a pristine Crowborough surface.

Unfortunately Luke Carpenter will have to wait until the Crows first home game of the season to grace the turf, due to a slight muscle strain in training.

Hastings began the game on the front foot, slickly retaining possession and using the width proficiently to win a corner in the opening few minutes of the game.

The visitors took the lead in the 9th minute after a couple of failed clearances landed at the feet of the Hastings centre forward, whose scrappy deflection took it past the helpless Collick.

The goal was a little harsh on Crowborough, and seemed to ignite some energy and urgency into the side. After a wayward shot from Ottway and a misplaced header from Saunders, the pressure finally paid off. A fierce shot from Saunders was handballed in the box, resulting in Crowborough being awarded a penalty in the 19th minute. Sam Carrington calmly slid into the bottom right hand corner to leave it all square.

The game then settled into a nice rhythm, with the centre of the park turning into a battle ground which the pairing of Barton and Butler bossed.

The occasional ball that pierced through the midfield, was met with heavy resistance from the energetic Tear, whose last ditch block saved an almost certain goal.

As the game progressed Hastings showed a calmness on the ball, and were assured in possession. Perhaps their experience of reaching the FA Cup third round against Middlesbrough last year has served them well.

However, Crowborough were by no means outclassed or intimidated by the Rymans South outfit, and showed great potency going forward. The trio of Carrington, Clarke and Ottway were threatening going forward, showing promising signs of a good relationship and understanding for the future.

Both sides made numerous substitutions during the second half that slightly took the sting out of the game. However, good runs from both Scott Treleaven and Callum Ridley, dubbed by one fan as the mini Puyol, were the bright sparks of a slightly tiresome second half.

The game finished 1-1 with Crowborough having the upper hand throughout the second half with a great deal more possession, however, a fair result given some of the excellent saves produced by Collick.

The Crows now march (If Crows march...) onto their first league game of the season against East Preston, in which Crows gaffer ‘Grimbo’ will be hoping his side can replicate some of the form shown against today’s higher opposition.

Starting Line-Up: Nick Collick, Chris Ransom, Paul McCarthy, Dan Tear, Alex Rich, Sam Saunders, Jason Barton, Paul Butler, Wayne Clarke, Sam Carrington, Charlie Ottway.

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