TT No.66: Dave Reed - Tuesday 25th September; Crawley Down v Mile Oak ; FA Vase 2Q Replay       Result: 3-2; Attendance: 84, Admission: £4, Programme: 24 pages, £1.  Match rating: 4*. 


It was ten years ago that I last visited Crawley Down (Village as it was then) and the ground was no more than an open field behind the Haven Centre.  In recent times the club have got the long awaited planning permission to upgrade the ground and erect floodlights.  The pitch is now totally enclosed, hard standing has been laid and two areas of cover have been erected, one along the side containing 112 seats and the other behind one goal.  A tea bar has also been opened from a window in the Haven Centre which also provides liquid refreshment in the bar.

Other than myself, the game had attracted a handful of Travellers from the Midlands, the North and even Oban!  We were treated to a decent game with the home side falling behind early in the second half to a disputed goal but coming back strongly to bang in three on their own account, including an excellent third which came as the result of a flowing movement down the left.

The result took the home side through to a home tie against Croydon in the next round and their good football should stand them in good stead.

This friendly club are well worth a visit if you are in this part of the world.
 

contributed on 27/09/07