Wish we could win easy sometimes
On a rather damp night, the Crows faced a Westfield FC side who were not to be taken lightly, despite their status in Division 2 of the Sussex County Football League, having dumped SCFL Division 1 side, East Preston, out in the previous round.
From the side that played Croydon away on Saturday, Treleaven dropped to the bench, as did Clarke and Waterman was out through injury after having to come off with an ankle injury against the Trams.
The incoming players were Connor Charlton, Jonathan Trotter, back from suspension and Chris Ransome, who was making a welcome return to first team action after a long term fight for fitness from a recurring back injury.
The match started at a frantic pace as both sides tried to gain the upper hand but defences were largely on top, although the Crows did force a spate of early corners but these were dealt with by the Westfield defence and despite a penalty appeal, waived away by referee Surlis, the score remained 0-0.
Carrington, Funnell and Ransome were the danger men for the Crows whilst Bell and Pugh caused Collick to make saves but although the game was end to end, most of the play was outside each area and neither goalkeeper was really troubled too much, although Holland did make a fine save at the feet of both Carrington and Ransome as they both chased a ball done.
On 40 minutes the referee issued the first yellow card of the evening, Butler receiving it and the half time whistle blew with the score at 0-0.
The pace of the second half matched the first and after 50 minutes a Crow's corner entered the box and Barton was hauled to the ground by a Westfield player, referee Surlis deciding the contact warranted a penalty and the Crows had a great chance to go 1-0 early on.
Barton himself stepped up to take the kick and everyone thought that it was a foregone conclusion it would ripple the back of the net, unfortunately, 'keeper Holland had other ideas, diving to his left and making a great double-handed save, pushing the ball around the post for a corner.
The pace of the game was unrelenting, Collick fielding the Westfield chances with relative ease and whilst the Crows were probably just on top, Funnell being the most likely hero for the Crows at the time, the away side were putting in a tremendous effort to close the home side down quickly and in numbers.
After 65 minutes Trotter incurs the wrath of the referee for a tackle and gets a yellow card and then on 75 minutes, the hard working Charlton who put in a solid display, was replaced by top scorer Treleaven as the Crows look to get the all important first goal.
The change paid off almost immediately as on 80 minutes a great overlap and cross from Rich is forced home by Treleaven and the breakthrough needed by the Crows had come around and it was 1-0 with 10 minutes to play.
On 83 minutes 1-0 became 2-0 as Barton atoned for his rare penalty miss by putting the ball past Holland from 18 yards out. Westfield were still coming to terms with going 1-0 at the time and the home fans were thinking game over now.
However, Westfield gathered their thoughts and to their credit started to fight back, getting a consolation goal, as the Crows faithful thought anyway, in the 85th minute, Hales finishing well past Collick in the home goal.
It got worse for the Crows in the 87th minute when, from a deep corner, the ball is headed back across goal and the Westfield captain, Willett, equalises with 3 minutes left. The final whistle goes at 2-2 and 30 minutes extra time is now on the agenda.
Cameron replaces Trotter at full back as the first period of extra time commences and as both teams start to tire the game became more stretched, Ridley hitting the cross bar following a terrific run and shot but the first period ended with the same score, 2-2.
Clarke replaces Ransome who had put in a good shift for his first start and it's the Crows who are now controlling the game and looking the most likely to score.
Carrington takes advantage of some tiredness in the Westfield players and treats the home fans to some vintage control as he tricked his way in from the left, beating three players on the way and firing the ball across goal.
Although the ball is partially cleared, it went straight to Paul Butler who took a touch before blasting it past Holland and into the net, therefore, the Crows now led 3-2 after 110 minutes.
Rather than sit on the lead the Crows went the offensive route again and the energetic Treleaven fashioned a chance for Clarke, which he duly took, tricking the defender and the goalkeeper in the process which enabled him to walk the ball in the net, much to the delight of his team mates and the Crow faithful, 4-2 after 115 minutes.
The home side were made to work very hard for their victory by a resolute and determined Westfield team and using the squad, after a tough game away on Saturday, definitely worked in favour of the Crows on the night.