The Crows made the journey over to Crawley Down Gatwick to take on the table toppers in what promised to be a tough game. Temperatures dropped but the pitch was deemed playable.

Not many changes to report from the last game, but a huge boost was to see the returning Jacob Lambert back in a Crows shirt, on loan from Sheppey. Danny Powell was back on the subs bench.

The game started as expected, fast paced and it was our hosts who had the first chance. It didn’t take The Crows long to get into the groove though as Lucas Murrain hit the bar 4 minutes in, and The Crows moved through the gears for the first half. More pressure from Muggsys men came with Hyland having an effort saved when through 1 on 1 with the keeper, following some neat footwork from Murrain.

Minutes later, the returning Lambert hit a decent free kick just over the bar.

The Crows continued to dominate and made the breakthrough in the 22nd minute, Jack Mayhew smashed a fierce shot at goal from the right hand side of the box, the Crawley Down Gatwick keeper saved but only got the ball as far as our top scorer, Lucas Murrain, who Cooley tucked the ball home from close range.

The Crows took a narrow lead in at half time, but would have been encouraged by the performance. The second half began as the first continued.

Just 2 minutes after the restart, Murrain battled hard for the ball, coming out on top, then moved the ball forward with real purpose, the ball bouncing up, he lifted the ball over the keeper - and after what felt like an age, the back of the net rippled and it was 2-0!

But Crawley Down Gatwick weren’t done, they managed to fight their way back into the game, as you’d expect from the side clear at the top of the league.

Captain Tom Boddy came into his own, barking instructions to the lads, keeping them motivated and organised, no matter how hard Crawley Down Gatwick tried, they could not break through for an equaliser.

As Crawley Down Gatwick pushed hard for the equaliser, The Crows had chances to kill the game off, notably Danny Powell and Leo Vowles - in similar circumstances, got clear of the defence and were bearing down on goal, only to put their chances just wide - The Crows fans began celebrating thinking the game had been killed off!

It was a superb, entertaining game, but one that we deservedly came out on top.

MOTM: Tom Boddy
Final score: 2-1