Crook Town AFC vs Darlington RA

Recap

Sending off Changes Game

Crook Town are now deep in the relegation mire after losing at home to second bottom Darlington RA.

Crook Manager Colin Myers gave full debuts to both James and Jack Oliver and welcomed back Alex Wilson to the side. Crook started very brightly and had RA on the back foot from the off with Jack Oliver being particularly dangerous on the left hand side. The first chance came when a ball was played over the full backs head giving Jack Oliver a free run on goal but the keeper managed to save with his legs when Oliver really should have scored. The next chance fell to Will Preston when he was put through one on one with the keeper but was unable to fine the net. The next chance fell to Jack Oliver after he cut inside the full back but he guided his shot narrowly wide when he should have done better. The best chance of the half fell to Preston as he was again put through one on one with the keeper but he over ran the ball giving the keeper a simple save. RA were starting to come back in to the game after taking confidence for Crooks lack of potency in front of goal and Harrison was forced in to making a couple of saves just before half time as the teams went in 0-0.

Crook Brought on Plews for Preston at half time as Preston had picked up a needless booking and after a couple of mis-timed challenges was on his final warning from the referee. The turning point of the game came 10 minutes in to the second half when Grant made a strong but seemingly fair challenge but was given a straight red by the referee meaning Crook were down to 10 men. This seemed to give RA a lift and they immediately went on the attack. Crook were forced to make another change after an injury to Megran who was replaced by Whitfield. Shortly after RA made the break though when a cross in to the Crook box found Halliday unmarked for a free header. worse was to follow 10 minutes later when another cross in to the Crook box was not dealt with and Tarn fired in to the back of the net from 8 yards out to effectively end the game. Crook threw on Hughes late on and went three at the back but to no avail and RA comfortably saw out the game

After the game Crook Manager Colin Myers commented ” We should never have lost this game and should have been 4-0 up at half time. We are desperate for someone who can put the ball in to the back of the net as we are creating the chances. Grants sending off was the game changer. It did not look a bad challenge to me but players know you cannot tackle in that manner in this day and age whether you win the ball or not. The most disappointing aspect for me was that when the going got tough the majority of our players disappeared which is not acceptable!”

Team: Harrison. Megran (Whitfield), Wilson, Wood, Oliver (Hughes), Spooner, Grant, Brown, Smith, Oliver, Preston (Plews)

Not Used: Moss, Vincent

Man of the Match:  Jack Oliver