…you could have been forgiven for thinking that the best place to watch this encounter was on CCTV in the bar!
But no, United’s supporters turned out in force once more, as over 220 of them kept themselves warm in an entertaining game between two bitter rivals. Crawley Down have had a bad start to the campaign, much as United did; the difference is that United have pulled out of it and started to play some top drawer football. Unbeaten in their last nine league outings, United are capable of inflicting damage on anyone, particularly at their beloved Oval.

Crawley Down had obviously done their homework and aware of this, they stuffed their midfield and defence to make it difficult to break down. United were defending into a low sun, but to be honest there was not much to defend against. Early opportunities were hard to come by, with Ball and James Hull both looking lively without breaking down the Crawley defence, in fact as half time came and went at 0-0, it was looking like one of those frustrating afternoons for United. The frustration had overboiled for T’yano Wilson as he was booked just before the break.

The second half started much the same way, although United seemed to have a steel about them, defending deep - Jordan Ray and Dan Hull were magnificent, and on the hour James Hull was unfortunate not to make it 1-0 ashis effort was well saved by the giant Crawley keeper. As the old saying goes - “cometh the hour and a quarter, cometh the Man and a quarter” - on 75 minutes leading scorer Charlie Ball turned well in the box and curled it into the bottom right. Cue the celebrations and suddenly it looked like going 2-0 any moment. Koby Farrell was desperately unlucky as he fired over; Ball hit the crossbar, but in the end, a deserved win for United, who sneak into the top ten, just four points now off the playoffs.

On Saturday, United have another first as they fly to an away league match for the first time; their opponents being Guernsey FC, currently occupying a third place that United would dearly love for themselves. It’s a 2.30 kickoff on the Island, hopefully it’ll be a slightly warmer one!!