Watching the warm up shooting practice, it occurred to me that Gavin Massey, Freddie Sears, Woody, big Clinton and others were all struggling to beat Carl Pentney and/or even hit the target. It was however encouraging seeing how newcomer George Porter was consistently tucking them away with much precision before 3.00pm. But sadly, he didn’t get a single chance within the game itself.

That particular pre-match thought hadn’t been in my consciousness ever since we left Layer Road - where I often killed time by counting the stray balls lost over the Clock End. Sat high up in the South Stand of WHCS, I can no longer see how far off target they are. But my observation summed up the difference between the two sides on New Year’s Day. The U’s were woeful in front of goal, whilst Crawley Town were clinical from an equally modest number of chances. I concur with Joe Dunne, “it wasn’t a 3–0 game”, but sadly, our goal difference reflects that whilst the following relegation pack are nudging ever closer.

Late injuries to Tom Eastman and John White made our defensive line up look even more shaky than normal, and so it proved. Drey Wright had an awesome game tormenting red shirted defenders down both flanks and the middle, but the freedom he was afforded in order to maximise his attacking effectiveness did leave young Potts repeatedly exposed; notably after Kem Izzet was withdrawn. Tall gangly Matt Heath always looked a bit uncomfortable as the pacy Crawley attackers buzzed round him, but along with Magnus and Wilson, he did manage to hoof or head the ball forward on most occasions when required. But where has the delightful passing game of October gone? The pitch looked remarkably decent, and yet our style was distinctly retro. Is Boothroyd back?

Crawley’s opener would grace any match and I doubt many League One sides would have defended any better against it. A terrible refereeing decision produced a clever, and obviously well-rehearsed, free kick that was brilliantly angled to a wide untracked runner that pulled the U’s defence in two. The ball is then headed back into the hole created into which Crawley had more runners than my newly painted ceiling, each ready to smash it towards goal. One did, an outstanding save by Cousins, ball ricochets around the box, only to be slotted home. That was disappointing, indeed a bit unlucky given Cousins fine effort (and the prior dire refereeing decision), but it was one of those moments that always conspire against you when in a relegation dog fight. Well played Crawley.

Had we fallen further behind just minutes later, when the U’s were torn apart just before Jones smashed the ball towards goal with everybody beaten, only to see it hit fellow striker Clarke and bounce away safely, that would have been inexcusable, as by then some heads were noticeably down. Another rout might easily have commenced. But led by Izzet, Bean, Morrison and Wright, and the vocal boot of Joe Dunne, the U’s slowly gained their composure and actually looked highly competitive for much of the game. Chances for both sides were limited, and CUFC had plenty of opportunity to equalise or even get ahead. However, where were our shooting boots, as both Wordsworth and Massey squandered opportunity? The U’s were still well in this game mid-way through the second half, and the influence of Drey Wright grew ever stronger, that is, until the wheels finally came off.

A back-pass from Wilson to Cousins with the U’s in little danger, the ball bobbles, so surely time to hoof it, Cousins taps it back, fortunately missing the outstretched boot of Alexander by a whisker, and regretfully beating that of Wilson by a similar margin. Clarke collects, 2-0, this second goal perhaps marginally against the run of play. It was a shocking mistake from which the U’s could never recover, and around fifty minutes of seriously big hearted fight back was wasted in an instant.

The inevitable came with just minutes to go, a speculative ball hoofed forward, a fortunate bounce, Magnus beaten, Cousins rushes out, Adams cleverly chips him. I am all for Mark’s rush of blood bravery when in the six yard box, but why not stay closer to his line and simply narrow the angle when a player is still comparably wide? Mark got caught in that neither here nor there land, which left him looking skyward in anguish whilst the faithful turned towards the exit and the car park. Mark’s game hasn’t benefited from his spell on the bench watching Sullivan, who, whilst not as a good nor brave a shot stopper, did seem to have far better judgment/command around the box. I now fear for Mark. Is Dean Gerken available?

What can be said about newcomers Porter and Compton…? Frankly, not a lot. Massey made way for Compton just prior to the second killer goal. Porter came on for Izzet five minutes after. Suddenly we seemed to have four wingers and no midfield nor strikers, but I don’t think that was their fault. Throughout, Morrison ran his heart out and did some great work both tackling back and holding up the ball. However, I don’t recall once seeing him in the opposition box (except for a corner) and he seemed to spend much of his time out wide chasing balls booted or flung forward by our defence (probably not his fault) or collecting our throws. Whatever good work was achieved down the flanks by any our youngsters (Massey, Wright, Compton, Porter), that was negated by our rarely having anybody threatening in the box. Where is a Cureton (or a Lisbie) when we need him? Shame Sears wasn't playing, but then who would perform the necessary strong win/hold ball up role of Morrison (or Odejayi before him)? Sorry, Woody, your time is up. You are now getting in the way of what we really need - pacey wide men with TWO proper strikers.

With the U’s 408 faithful pleading to Crawley “will you score a goal for us”, I decided it was time to depart. But on reflection as I chugged back to Essex, there were some positives. Once Drey Wright was given more freedom and possession, he started to remind me of Craig Eastmond, only better. Perhaps Drey needs to be our playmaker and far less of a winger? Indeed, how long can we hang onto this talent? Maybe somebody will offer us a few £million and we can change the rest? Had Porter replaced Woody and not Izzet, I wonder, might that have been the better formula? To be fair, Joe Dunne is trying everything; nine changes versus Brentford compared to our last winning (Bury) side, then even more (enforced) changes today. Sadly, I fear the rot won’t stop until Scunthorpe at home, but by then will we have any confidence left? Frankly, I hope Doncaster is waterlogged, and we then get to smash Hornchurch before facing the Iron - just to give us a boost - and a further chance for Joe to sort out his best XI.

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