After last week’s 3-0 reverse in the league fixture to title favourites East Preston, the Crows must have thought they were in for a torrid afternoon in this FA Cup fixture at the Lashmar.
With Nick Collick again in goal deputising for the injured Ben Head, and Wayne Clarke out also missing, The Crows put in a solid and determined display to earn a replay on Tuesday at the community stadium.
EP started with conviction and put the visitors under pressure, but the eager runners were caught offside by a well organised back line before George Gaskin had an early effort well held by Collick low down to his left. A good cross from the hosts was put out by Chris Ransome for a corner on the left which was cleared to safety as the Crows defence dealt with the aerial threat that the home side possess. Joe Shelley did get away down the right, only for play to be brought back for an infringement by the same player on a Crowborough defender. The visitors responded when the excellent Luke Carpenter beat three defenders in an inspired run down the left in a sign that EP were not going to have it all their own way, as Collick did well to deny Marc Pullen’s bullet header. EP continued to probe and the whole team were defending as a unit with Jason Barton and Sam Saunders getting in the tackles in the midfield to restrict the hosts to long range efforts; Gaskin again testing Collick. 18-year-old Collick then did well to come out to meet a Gaskin header to prevent the forward getting a clean effort on goal, before the Crows came close to taking a shock lead going into the interval. Sam Saunders made an excellent interception before picking out Carpenter on the left, but his low drive across the face of goal just eluding the onrushing Carrington at the far post.
The Crows began the second half with a more attacking intent, as Carpenter saw his effort blocked before the winger’s 25-yard strike was met by a fine save by the diving Joel Harding. Alex Rich then intercepted well before playing in Carrington, who turned away from his marker only to see his shot deflected over the bar. Charlie Ottway then had some joy down the right flank as he put in a tempting cross low into the box, but both Carrington and then Carpenter couldn’t get on the end of it. However, despite their promising attacking play, the Crows were sent a reminder of the quality of their opponents when East Preston forced goalkeeper Collick into three or four great saves, with the youngster picking up an injury in the process. A great tackle from Kev Everest prevented Gaskin getting a run through on goal, before Carrington almost put the Crows through into the next round as his 25 yard effort flew marginally wide of Harding’s goal as the Crows faithful got to their feet. The hosts responded with some late pressure, but good defending from Crowborough meant that the sides will have to do it all over again on Tuesday.