Big Man Little Keeps Crawley On Top
by Steve Dadd & Pete Pavey

6th January 2002

League leaders Crawley Town staged an unimpressive "smash and grab" raid here at the Wessex today.

Arguably one of the worse sides to visit Dorset this season, Crawley had no answer to the Terras slick flowing football, only their keeper Andy Little and the woodwork saved their blushes. The Weymouth team had to endure a hail of abuse as they emerged from their dressing room from a small mob of Crawley supporters.

Right from the kick off it was Weymouth, Simon Browne saw his 25 yard goal bound shot deflected for a corner after 30 seconds. From the corner, Matthew Hale’s curling kick was punched clear by Little, Hutchinson sent the ball back in and Little saved.

Lee Phillips won the ball out on the right flank, ran to the bye line, his low cross was cut out by Little as Hutchinson waited to stab home. Crawley buckled under the Terras' pressure on 7 minutes, Robinson made a searing run into the box after pretty footwork from Rowbo, his low hard cross was delightfully turned into his own net by Sharman.

Rowbo, controlling the game, flicked the ball to Laws, with Little off his line, Laws flicked the ball over his head but he somehow managed to get a fingertip to the ball and push it onto the post and out for a corner.

Two minutes later Phillips was put through, with only the keeper to beat, he tried to round the grounded glove man, but Little stuck out a foot and stopped Lee in his tracks.

Phillips put in a wonderful cross, which Laws met perfectly, but Little saved well. Crawley broke out of their own half on 20 minutes, but Collins' shot was well wide. Weymouth were totally in control and dictated play. A terrific flowing Weymouth move saw Rowbo struggle away from three Crawley players on the left flank, his cross was to Hutchinson in front of goal, his volley shaved the wrong side of the upright. 

Rowbo chested down to Laws in front of the dugout, beating two players, he pushed the ball past the last man only to be upended, clearly dazed (and upset) Mr. Newell chose only to caution the errant defender. Another Weymouth attack, another cross, this time by Robinson, Laws at the far post was winding his neck up and only a last ditch header away stopped the leagues leading scoring from netting.

Crawley grabbed an equalizer on 43 minutes, a free kick just out side the left hand side of the area was headed home by Keith Sharman, making amends for his earlier pho-parr.

Right on half time Crawley could have gone ahead, Harlow's cross cum shot looped over Potter's head only for it to rebound off the cross bar.

Weymouth had Simon Browne booked for dissent on 48 minutes, minutes later, Browne saw his curling shot pushed onto the cross bar by Little.

The Terras continued to pressure. Was this really the side that was top of the table? Harlow had a shot on 65 minutes that flew past the post and Lee Phillips was booked for kicking the ball away from a free kick. He had placed the ball there himself thinking it was a Weymouth kick due to the extremely late flag for offside, when advised, he kicked the ball toward where the lino was pointing to for the kick to be taken, hey presto!~ a booking!

Yet another slick Weymouth moves saw Robinson's shot skim the upright on 67 minutes but with all the subs on the bench, the hardworking Terras were starting to tire.

Crawley bought on their third and final substitute on 75 minutes. John Waldock came to Weymouth’s rescue, a Simon Browne back pass put Potter under pressure, Ben Abbey went round "The Shed" but was tackled well by "mad dog".

With three pairs of fresh legs on for Crawley the visitors were in the ascendancy. Potter made a brilliant one handed save from Restorick on 78 minutes, but Crawley went ahead on 80 minutes when a ball across the face of goal was met by the dwarfish Ben Abbey who gleefully headed home.

Weymouth bought on Dean and Underhay on 85 minutes. Although permanently camped in Crawley's half, they failed to score.